Saturday, April 16: Plantopia

Ava & Teo (Avrora and Teodora Choolfaian) invite you to their art exhibit reception at Rabbithole Studios in Dumbo, Brooklyn on April 16th from 3pm to 9pm.

The presented paintings and installation explore my relationships with my two daughters, plants and food and offer thoughts on slavery. After becoming a mother, it became impossible to create without the direct involvement of my now 4 year old daughter. There wasn't a single thing that I created that wasn't in some way altered or affected by her. 

I recently delved into the subject of sugar and in general plants that feed us. Refined sugar is the main contested object in my daily relationship with my older daughter. Used for bribery, rewarding and simple pleasure, refined sugar as an ingredient in chocolate that has come to rule my life. My research into it led me to the dark past of slavery and to Darwin's life and work. Darwin, as argued in a new book called "Darwin's sacred cause" came up with his theory of evolution because he was raised to hate and passionately hated slavery as a young man. Confronted by a scientific world in which racism was being proven by scientists all around him who championed phrenology, the 21 year old left all comfort and home and embarked on a journey that will ultimately deliver to us his revolutionary science that proved that there is no difference in the capacities of black and white men and women. 

Could it be that even now to this day, the profound effects of slavery's dark aura rule our life as they deliver to us the most benign daily stimulant- sugar- with all the highs and lows and health risks that come with its consumption?