Don’t view this as endorsement of kids smoking, tobacco or any of that shiznit. But these photos will make you look twice, guarenteed. Regardless of if it’s social, political or commercial, or otherwise, it’s very effective art. This is smart, powerful, horrible.
This photo series “The Beauty of an Ugly Addiction” is Photographer Frieke Janssens’ response to nicotine addiction and new smoking laws. She asks, “does this ban treat adults like children who can’t willfully decide whether or not to partake in this horribly harmful habit? What is it about smoking, aside from the obvious addictive content, that draws people in? Is it its image from film noir? Is it the appeal of its performative consumption, that mannerism or pose that seems to imbue a smoker with a particular sort of character?”
Can’t argue that you’ll stop and look. Tell me what you think in the comments. Then check out this sort of surreal behind the scenes video is here:
[via flavorpill, neatorama]
My first reaction….I felt like I was stuck in a room with the smoke. Felt like I couldn’t breathe. I don’t really care about people smoking unless I’m forced to suck in the air of smoke with my lungs. Made me anxious to even look at the photos.
I’m not so sure it needs to have a “message” to be an interesting set of images. And I don’t hear the artist placing some sort of contrived, pretentious message on these… I think they are what they are. A well-executed set of images that we wouldn’t expect to see.
I think they’re beautiful. Well-lit. Nice atmosphere, amusing poses. It’s nice to just take something for what it is once in a while. Not like it’s an editorial piece.
We’re also so saturated with shocking imagery these days, that these may have little impact for most. But that doesn’t make them pointless.
Great comment Jeremy. I think so many other commenters on here are so “literal” that they just can’t stop and see it beyond an explanation or need that message. It’s not necessary. These are great photos and like you said…they are what they are.
It at first made me think of kids who were stuck with parents who smoke and take away their ability to decide. Then I read how they thought smoking bans took away the rights of the adult to decide if they want to willing smoke and endanger their well being. I’d agree with that if it wasn’t for the fact that there are a large number of individuals each year, that develop lung cancer or similar from smoking that rely on the tax payer dollar to get medical treatment. Yes the photos are powerful as a tool that shows why kids shouldn’t smoke. But for what they were intended for – they way missed the mark.
Shallow and self serving. Neither here no there.
The photography and the artistic vision in these photos is fantastic.
It seems noone interprets these images in the same way.
This intrigue is a good portion of what it is that makes these shots fantastic.
Take away the “habit” and you’re right, the pictures are beautifully done. But would you have taken the photo if they were standing in front of your camera doing it? Sort of remind me of when you see the street performer with the monkey and he hands the monkey a cigarette. Monkey see, monkey do, and it should be conceived as cute regardless of the risk involved.