The movie "Raping Europa" claims that the nazis were obsessed with art. Was Hitler a poor artist that was driven to "crime" as a result of failed talent? I wonder if there are any psychological underpinining to this? Apparently they were also obsessed with the occult. I wonder if there are any connections? "Adolph Hitler spent years struggling to establish himself as an artist before his political ambitions rose to the surface and he brought the Nazi Party to power in Germany, and documentary filmmakers Richard Berge, Nicole Newnham and Bonni Cohen offer a unique perspective on how Hitler's aesthetic viewpoint may have affected his nation's actions during World War II. The Rape of Europa examines the artistic tastes of Hitler and his leading advisors, and how they looted many of the great museums and private art collections of Europe during the course of World War II in order to stock museums built during the Third Reich (and benefit the collections of Germany's leaders). In addition, Axis forces actively participated in raids to destroy artwork and artifacts from nations and cultures Hitler regarded as "degenerate," serving as a curious parallel to "the Final Solution" that left six million dead. The film features rare newsreel footage and photographs documenting the Nazi's obsession with art; Joan Allen narrates. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide" http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=2104083&mp=syn
Charles Mans*n was a failed rock star--- there is a fine line between artistic genius and madness. regarding art--- art represents individual freedom ( more subversive the art, the greater the freedom), facists of all stripes wish to crush freedom, hence their adversion to art--- regards, surf ps. the occult represents power--hence the connection.
Chances are he saw himself part of a long tradition of conquerors that collected the material form of booty, as opposed to revolutionaries that value the other form of booty (and usually destroy art). Supposedly the interest in the occult did not occur until the later years of heavy drug use...
Tradition of conquerers, sure-and a lot of this stuff was very valuable and transportable-and free! They regarded themselves as the master race, the highest expression of and ability to appreciate "culture". Not "degenerate" artwork, of course, but seeing themselves as effective custodians of the rennaissance and romantic traditions of art, the pinnacle of human acheivement, it was a necessary part of the charade to, in a way, cement their "culture" as a continuem of classical culture, art played a big part of that, wagner's operas the simplest example. Nevermind the fact that german art, even culture had long been regarded (in a general sense) as coarse or vulgar, or that the officers themselves had little appreciation for "fine art" generally, beyond the sheer $value.