The first act of violence that patriarchy demands of males is not violence toward women. Instead patriarchy demands of all males that they engage in acts of psychic self-mutilation, that they kill off the emotional parts of themselves. If an individual is not successful in emotionally crippling himself, he can count on patriarchal men to enact rituals of power that will assault his self-esteem.
Bell Hooks
Bastiaan Johan Christiaan "Bas Jan" Ader (1942-1975) was a Dutch multidisciplinary artist who explored themes of identity and departure in his short, but significant art life. Ader was lost at sea in 1975 between Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States and Ireland, when he set out to sea from Cape Cod in a small sailing boat as part of an attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean. His empty boat eventually washed up on the coast of Ireland. There is some speculation that his final demise (and the way he went about getting there) was his ultimate performance. You can see more of Bas Jan Ader's work on this lovely website.
