Five thought-provoking urban sculptures in five neighborhoods in the city of Riga interpret five ethical values or virtues, which we have inherited from ancient philosophy: wisdom, courage, moderation, justice and responsibility.

In visual plastic language, the sculptures translate the five values and interpret one and the same basic form eclectically, i.e. a circle, relating the transformations which maintain the relevance of ideas of the past today. The circle as a primeval form and the start of everything is the visual interpretation of the sculptures, which is transformed according to the aforementioned values.

Urban sculptures and narratives emphasize the mutual connection between the values – for instance, courage is impossible without wisdom, or justice without moderation, while responsibility is the basis for intelligent and just conduct. The challenge was to create an interplay between the sculptures and the historical and contemporary social context of their locations, the key to which is engaging neighborhood communities in the formation of a dialogue so that five eternal values can be manifested in uniform materials and abstract visual language whose ostensibly invisible lines are connected by the audio narratives of philosophers. Integrated into the sculptures are QR codes, which lead viewers to the audio narratives in Latvian and English, and dialogues recorded especially for a youth audience.

Five public sculptures that prompt viewers to discover philosophy in the city are the catalyst for a conversation about the relationship between the individual and the public, with a view to nurturing a more understanding society. Key aspects were accessibility to the public sculptures at any time, encouraging walks in fresh air,an evolving intergenerational dialogue.

Public sculptures are more than works of art – they are educational and cultural instruments that inspire viewers to discover and strengthen the foundations of a sustainable future.