Adam Temptation (2023) Sculpture by Hayk Hovhannisyan

In the context of Christianity, Adam, the forefather of humanity, serves as an emblematic figure. Initially created in the pristine surroundings of Eden, he existed in blissful ignorance of the concepts of evil and wickedness. However, his unwitting consumption of the forbidden fruit led to a transformation, not unlike when a pure substance, such as gold, is blended with another, like copper, resulting in the emergence of new properties – whether positive or negative is a secondary concern. The fundamental question that arises is whether merging the pure spirit with another entity eventually leads to a conscious loss and a fundamental alteration of one's identity. The process unfolds in a way where the merged element becomes a component of one's self, making it an integral part of one's identity. As a result, one must grapple with the paradox of being oneself while simultaneously being a different entity. It's worth noting that such experiences, which don't annihilate us, contribute to our resilience and personal growth. In this particular narrative, we witness the internal struggle of the forefather, torn between accepting a transformative event or banishing it into the abyss of forgetfulness. It's at this moment that the realization dawns: the past has indelibly become a part of his self, and the past and the present, distinct yet intertwined, coexist as part of the same

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