Assignmnet 3; The Issue Of Girl Models [Bill Henson & Vogue]

This issue has become far more scrutinized over recent years. One of the main issues that has been raised and quite successfully I may add, was by David Marr's speech on Slow Tv.

Some of the points/ quotes he used were understanding on how the media and public feel towards the circumstances and intentions towards the photographs.

"Indication of the mad times we are living, how hypercharged these issues have become and how to my mind, entirely unfairly the figure of Bill Henson has been demonized with in the last four months."

"Let the children be children, but they really want the children to be adults"

"The innocence of children is at stake, [though the innocence is seen as armor]"

These quotes made my David Marr in his speech was implying how the media and the public has made this spin out of control, and how the demonizing of Bill Henson has brought up the ethics of photography involving children.

I believe his argument of normalizing was a stong and fair point to make about the intent of viewing of particular photographs.

"To allow photographs of children being sexualized, and matured far beyond their years. Is therefore society to allow publication of such photography means a kind of wink to pedofiles. This is known as the argument of normalizing. The backers of the argument say that allowing the publication of such photographs we are normalizing pedofelia."

This said I wanted to have an understanding of my peers opinions to figure out their opions on this resque topic. I believe that the images by Bill Henson wasn't offensive as he didn't sexualize the children in any way. He may have used dramatic lighting to get his concept and ideas across. For example he didn't dress them up in any way like the photographers from Vogue did (clothing wise, make up and the posing of the girls). My examples below show what I am trying to convey is that the images taken from the December - January issue of Vogue is sexualising and in a way maturing the children far beyond their years. Though their images are to try and presen a shock and horror reaction to their audience. The reason for these images is to show the fashions obsession with young girls

"But it’s also obvious from the over-the-top styling and the overall lurid quality that this story is a parody and a critique of the fashion industry’s unhealthy interest in young girls, not an endorsement or a glamourization of it"

I realise this is a touchy subject and that many people have different opinions to what they personally feel. Though these image can be percieved in both positive and negative ways. As thaey say a picture is worth a thousand words.