helmut azam khan

sono viva!

a series of photographs by Helmut Azam Khan
November 12 - 24, 2003
Gallery 888

Opening Reception: November 12, 6-9pm
888 Queen Street East
Toronto, Canada

helmut azam khan — Artist Statement, November 2002

"Sono Viva!" means, "I am alive!" These pieces attempt to convey both the cycle of life and the choices we make that define life for us and for others. "L'albero di Vita" is the "Tree of Life" from the Garden of Eden while "L'albero della Morte" is the "Tree of Death", or the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil".

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were given this choice. Sadly, they were tempted by the food of the "Tree of Knowledge" and this introduced Death into the Garden. Before this, there was no death in the garden. Adam and Eve were promised eternal life, as were all the animals. I believe the Forbidden Food was the flesh of an animal. After they ate from it, they were ashamed and tried to hide from God, as represented by the "Spine e Cardi" series of photographs, which means "Thorns and Thistles".

But God gave them clothes of fur of the dead animal to remind them that they chose Death. And they were expelled from the Garden to live among the "thorns and thistles".

These two trees represent the choice we make everyday when we eat and reminds us of the consequences and the responsibility we have for the welfare of the animals and others who we affect. Free will is a gift and we must now choose.



	l'albero della morte #1 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	l'albero di vita #1 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	l'albero della morte #2 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	l'albero di vita #1 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	verso l'est in eden (winter) — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	verso l'est in eden (summer) — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	spine e cardi #1 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	spine e cardi #2 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	spine e cardi #3 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	l'albero della morte #3 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	l'erba che rende seme — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	e a polvere tornerai #1 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	e a polvere tornerai #1 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	l'albero della morte #4 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	l'albero di vita #4 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	l'albero della morte #5 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan


	l'albero di vita #5 — *sono viva!*
	helmut azam khan