It sounds to me as if what you're suggesting in point 1 would be a graphics equivalent to DBI, where there would be modules specifically to handle particular graphics systems much as DBD::* modules handle the particulars for any one type of database. IIRC, the combination of DBI and DBD::* allows for the use of database-specific enhanced functions while giving a general set of workable functionality. While likely very difficult, involving a lot of work by a number of developers, providing such a functionality for those looking at GUI applications does seem like a very intriguing idea...