Invision

Perhaps it led to the study of political art as promoted by revolutionary governments like Russia, China or Cuba. I made the decision that it was not art. It was dictated from outside. The artist merely created design for the content, as dictated by the state no matter what the state is called. Thus it was craft and not art. Which led to the discussion of what was the purpose of art. Some on the left I knew, said it was to serve the state in the interest of the people and not rich patrons, and further that this artist should be supported by the state. To my mind these people were politicians and not artists. But then there was the whole class aspect of art. But what was good art ? In the capitalist system art was legitimate if people would buy it. Seemed to me some on the left wanted a guaranteed salary, since no one would buy their art otherwise. It was probably no good. But then there was the van Gogh syndrome, same as the Christian persecution guarantee. The less recognized or more reviled the artist, the more extensive the proof of greatness. So although I might want to be a lefty, I could not buy many of their arguments.

And continuing with the naval category, of course there were pirates and treasure, new world explorers, sailing ships, 'walk the plank' and Captain Hook, the Great White Whale, mermaids, sea lore and creatures, from books, education and movies. I wanted it all as one composite character. What was the navel character type? It was a story teller.

Sailors had stories to tell and great stories they were. The characters of my everyday experience became identity context for various problems.

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