Polyhedral Vision

by Sofia Galli

Plurality is the language of the simple man, 

Singularity is the language of the simplistic man.

Light hits a polyhedron and is refracted in a myriad of different directions; the spectacle generates volatility, but wonder, too. In philosophy, pluralism relates to a doctrine of multiplicity, in opposition to monism and dualism, which argue for a doctrine of unity and one of duality. Pluralism articulates itself with and within plurality: it assumes diverse meanings and features according to the branch of philosophy in scrutiny. 

For instance, in metaphysics pluralism is the belief that reality is formed by many substances. In epistemology, pluralism is the claim that numerous conflicting, yet still true, portrayals of the world subsist, and no single explanatory system can account for every phenomenon of existence. In ethics, pluralism is the idea that there are many sources of values by which one single truth cannot be morally guaranteed. 

Art is a polyhedral concept, which ranges across a multiplicity of different forms and genres. The experiment of “Polyhedral Vision” seeks to amalgamate poetry, visual arts, music, and philosophy in a rather short experience. One that lasts less than three minutes. Although the project could never encapsulate the entirety of these disciplines in such a short amount of time – presuming that there could ever be enough time to do so in a full life of a human, in a century, or in several millennia – it still attempts to convey an emotion, to be declined in a plethora of ways according to the individual listening. 

Here, the significance of plurality lies in an act that can unite simple men, intended as equal one to the other, yet extremely diverse in their creeds, actions, and societal systems. Here, words do not attempt to spread a teaching, nor an absolute. Here, all that is wanted is to encourage an experience that is plural: whatever that may mean for you. 

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Sofia Galli (1997) is a writer, poet, and researcher. Her focuses include the relationship between art and politics, the theory of mobilities, and the examination of exhibitions in non-canonical spaces. She is a Humanities Professor at the Florence University of the Arts.