Belvedere

Text to art work by Henrik Rhyn

Everything alive originates from the first living creature on earth. The initial spark that called matter into being happened only once, and all existence originates from this moment.

We are all one with bacteria, living in hot springs, with parasitic barnacles, with bats, and cauliflower. We all share the same ancestor.

We humans were apes not so long ago, and the dog's ancestor is the wolf. When man became man, hunter and gatherer, and much later a farmer, the wolf - domesticated - became a dog, and the dog became man's friend.

Dogs are resting in this soil whose human friend has given them names, and with whom they have been companion all the dog's life. Now, while resting, they can enjoy the beautiful view over the Columbia Valley, the Belvedere

Prayer of the Hopi tribe

I am the land,
my eyes are the sky
my limbs are the trees.
I am the rock, the deep water.
I am not here to dominate or exploit the nature.
I am nature myself.

April 2011

Henrik Rhyn was born and raised in Solothurn, Switzerland. He has worked as an interior decorator, actor, and writer of Radio and TV plays before he was hired by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (Radio DRS) at the age of thirty. He is known for his over 200 features he created and presented on the radio, and as the host of the Swiss TV show "Chumm und lueg". He also acted in various Swiss movies. His travels brought him to North America and Asia, mainly Tibet and China. He wrote several books. Henrik retired at the age of 60.

All his life, Henrik Rhyn has been a painter and artist, working with glass, clay, bronze, and mosaics.