Assignment #3 - The issue of girl models: Bill Henson & Vogue

I have mixed feelings about the issue of children in photography, as I'm sure many do. The main points i got from the video of David Marr on the Henson case and the French Vogue spread was that in order to justify the use (and in some cases exploitation) of children in photography, you first must look deeper into the intention purpose and audience of the images.

When the issue of children and their theft of innocence comes about, i believe people tend to criticise and over react first and then ask questions later. Obviously a parent is going to perceive Bill Hensons works differently to an art enthusiast and therefor it is very difficult for the whole of society to come to an agreement about what is acceptable.

The relation to pedophilia is inevitable when photographing children, whether it be tasteful of not it will still evoke attention from the wrong kind of person. Thats not to justify having naked children available for people to see as you would expect shoots like the French Vogue spread would catch a pedophiles attention faster than a clothing ad in a K-Mart flyer.

One thing i do worry about is the impact that shoots such as in French Vogue have on the children involved. Writer and commentator Nina Funnell said it right when asking "what’s to stop a six year old from walking away with the message that when they look older and dress in a more sexual manner they get more praise, attention and money compared to when they look like their every day self?"

As far as the political intervention that resulted in the closing of the Henson show that David Marr spoke of, i personally believe the opinion of politicians should be disregarded to some point. The representatives are likely use their rhetoric to gain popularity with the Australian public. I agree with David Marr when he says "we are now back where we should have been all along, not necessarily agreeing that we like Bill Henson's photographs, not necessarily agreeing he should be allowed in schools, but able to discuss these issues without demonising them, demonising him, and without all this panic." I think it is important for the average Australian to look past the though that all potentially untastefull images of children are smut rather than art, although we need to also coincide the implications of the wrong people enjoying the photos for the wrong reasons.

Resources:
French Vogue- http://melindatankardreist.com/2011/01/vogue%E2%80%99s-smouldering-photo-shoot-of-tarted-up-little-girls-no-parody/
David Marr Video- http://www.themonthly.com.au/david-marr-henson-case-1268