One afternoon during seventh grade, I was in the art room with a few of my classmates (all guys). We were talking with the instructor and somehow the subject turned to photography. He said that what he found particularly interesting was that it was a completely new art form. While speaking, he placed an 8 X 10 black and white photo on the table. It was a nude shot of his girlfriend standing by the bathtub. For some reason or reasons unknown, one philistine brought this to the attention of his grandmother. The next day, she phoned the school’s principal and (in tears we were later told) reported the incident. So ended this phase of my cultural edification.
The art teacher really was very talented. Another photo that he showed us was what he considered to be his best painting to date. Mediterranean wine jugs in brilliant colors danced on the canvas. Nearly forty-five years later, in my mind I can see that just as clearly as the image of the pretty brunette.
