Artist's Interpretation:

The ship of life has been destroyed by the waves of social turmoil; only two rafts are left. In the foreground we see the head of a mannequin and two hands. The mannequin symbolizes the loss of reason replaced by emotions. When emotions take over the mind, our reality becomes unbearable and we jump into the turquoise water hoping to find solace in annihilation. The chilling effect of disappointment makes us regret it and we try desperately to come back (hand gripping the raft on the right). The second hand (facing the viewer), not knowing the tragic attempt of the first one, is sadly taking the same route forgetting that often we are better off where we are than where we would like to be.

We have to accept our lot, it is our cross and we are crucified on our journey (raft with crucified mannequin) on the river of Time. It is not a modern tragedy, it goes back to prehistoric Times (island shaped like lips-mouth) before historical records and the conquest of the unknown (Roman aqueduct).

Joseph Cusimano

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Additional Information:

• See glossary: aqueduct, mannequin (polychromatic), and water.
• Color reproduction appears in Passage to Canada, page 66, image #5.