Art or Exploitation?
At a time when there is so much concern about the exploitation and early sexualisation of children, Australian photographer Bill Henson has decided to display his art of naked pre-pubescent children. Due to public outrage, the police closed the exhibition down.
Art lovers and artists are calling this censorship of ‘genuine art’. Many others, including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, have expressed their disgust at the photographs of naked children.
Police are interviewing the children involved and their families. They have also spoken to Bill Henson and the gallery owners and are further investigating whether the photographs breached child pornography laws.
I don’t think there is anything RIGHT in photographing naked children. I’m disgusted that some people think this is ‘art’. There is NO WAY I would agree to my children doing this. Personally I think that this is encouraging pedophiles (using the excuse that they are art lovers) to further enable their sick brains.
I’m all for keeping this disgusting exhibition CLOSED!!
What do you think?
UPDATED: The exhibition is due to be re-opened after the removal of the prints that were casuing the controversary.
However I still think it should be re-opened.
On May 24th, 2008 at 1:14 pm hello.com.au » The blogosphere reacts to Bill Henson Said:
[...] blog reading…The Bill Henson controversy, Behind the News, Art or Exploitation?, OUTRAGE: Bill Henson’s Exhibition. Child porn?, Art and censorship – not a good mix, About [...]
On May 24th, 2008 at 1:23 pm Renee Said:
Interesting topic… How many people take pics of their naked kids doing silly stuff though? What if you show the pictures on a slideshow to your friends? Does audience have an effect on how the pictures are percieved? What exactly upsets people about naked children? Is it the manner in which they are posed? If it’s dark and serious does that make it worse than if it’s happy, light and bubbly? Is it the issue of consent? That would probably be an issue with me. If a child cannot legally give consent, then that means the parents give it and who knows if the parents forced their children to do this kind of thing, which could have long lasting psychological effects. Even if the children wanted to have their pictures taken in the nude, does that mean it’s okay? I would venture to say no. And I sort of agree with your pedophile comment, although I think that looking at just about any pictures of children would be a pedophile’s fantasy. It just makes me wonder where the line should be drawn I suppose.
On May 25th, 2008 at 7:43 am Holly Said:
I can’t believe a gallery actually let him put pictures like that up! Wow!
I completely disagree with the censorship thing. This is just wrong children could easily see this and think that it’s okay for someone to take naked pictures of them.
It’s just not right.
Hollys last blog post..A trip though time and art
On Jun 2nd, 2008 at 3:27 am Tazia Said:
It’s art for rich pedophiles.