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]
I think these photographs were well executed technically and the result is visually arresting. However, I do not find that these images portray Frieke’s inquiry effectively. I see children, dressed as adults from another era, posed with cigarettes or looking like they are smoking cigarettes. To me, Chase’s initial clarification statement, “don’t view this as endorsement of kids smoking, tobacco or any of that shiznit” shows that he was also concerned that viewers would leave with that conclusion as well.
In many cases, these photographs will be viewed on their own without any attached text. I feel that for an image to be successful in pushing forward an idea or questioning a statement it needs to have all of the necessary components within the frame. Adding text to these images would help them achieve that goal. Yes, doing so could be visually distracting. But are not these photographs meant to increase awareness on Frieke’s topic? Left as they are, I go away from seeing these pictures with the feeling that they are simply promoting kids to dress and act like adults. In this case that being to smoke, use tobacco and that kind of junk.
Sometimes for me, a photo making you take a second look is enough. It’s interesting. It’s something you don’t normally see. The message I think is more to shock but I’m not sure what the call to action is. Maybe there isn’t one. Does there have to be? Sometimes a good image is just fun to look at. Well done.
For those who don’t repulsed by seeing kids smoking then you must live in place where it’s normal to see such things. The message would be too subtle for you to understand.
If you don’t want kids to smoke then you should stop too because they will copy you like one commentator said- monkey see monkey do. I’ve experienced 1st hand being with a quitter at 55[my dad] and all the problems associated with it even after quitting.
It’s your life- take care of it and make yourself a role model for your children.
To the Friedke- congratulations on the powerful images. I’m lucky i choke on cigarettes, otherwise add me as another on a list of victims of big tobacco, insurance companies and profit oriented healthcare institutions.
I love the concept and the images, powerful and provocative.
As far as the “message” if there is one, I’m inclined to believe this somehow is intended to use some shock value to leverage the anti-smoking campaign. I’m personally not on board with this because smoking is a choice. Yes, it’s a bad choice but add it to the list of the other bad choices people make that don’t receive the attention smoking gets. You could just as well have shown toddlers driving cars or having a martini.