Popeye as Bagman Contemplates the Cultural Shift from Nature to Experience. for RL
by me. 2007
approx. 24×10x7 inches
ceramic
(note: this is a repost from my old blog at blogspot, which, now that I have moved this post, I am about to officially delete)
This is one of my newest pieces. I’ve begun to look at cartoon characters I grew up watching (and there are a TON of them, ’cause I watched WAY to much TV as a kid), and wondering what they have taught me, or what place do they take in my mind. It’s kind of like going to the library, looking up a book on a specific subject, then scanning the shelves around that book to see what’s nearby. (This, by the way, is one of my favorite “research” activities). My love of cartoons is further heightened by the fact that I got to BE cartoon characters at Hanna-Barbera land at Carowinds, my first job ever! That’s right y’all, I didn’t just watch Hong Kong Phooey, I was Hong Kong Phooey!
Anyway, I was surprised to find out Popeye was transformed (in my mind, or rather, in my work) into a kind of tragic hero, an everyman (well, as he freely admits, “[he] yam what [he] yam”, caught between his reliance on nature (spinach) and experience (pipe). I like how the pipe uses tobacco, a leaf–that is to say, it is the same basic “stuff” as the spinach–only it is burned.
NOTE–December 2007: For the past few months this post has been one of the most viewed on my blog. I am curious why. Would you please leave a comment telling me how you found this post and what you like (or hate) about it?
Yes, I remember those Carowinds character days well. Whew, take a shower! LOL
David, you really should check out the Nooma website. The stuff Rob Bell is doing with that organization and the Mars Hill church in Grand Rapids MI is pretty amazing.
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that’s the second time this month someone has recommended Rob Bell to me. Interesting……
(flashing “must read” sign starting to appear before my eyes)
Mo
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