It's quite unsettling being in a room hung with those photos, but they are even more beautiful close up. He's the same photographer who shot the Paris Opera Project I linked to last week.
Oh, how did I miss that! The Paris Opera project is amazing. The most interesting thing is that the performance on the stage is mirrored in the faces of the people watching. Music is not there but it really is there.
I hope the photographer will be able to clear his name.
What I don't understand is how this picture could start the controversy. I think the people who find this beautiful portrait sexually charged should really question themselves. I feel the nakedness here is about vulnerability rather than sex.
I agree - that picture, especially. Their nakedness, to me, also represents a kind of anonymity - they're like clay or putty, in the process of "becoming" something else, they could be anything, anyone.
Re: Nude is artistic. Naked is defenceless.the_grynneMay 25 2008, 03:18:47 UTC
It's like "Olympia" all over again. I thought we were past this. But then...I think of China censoring Tang Lee because of her role in Lust, Caution, and it's just...AEYFBAFHBFFBFHH!
I'm at Dad's for dinner; LJ, yay! I just posted this on FB, because I'm not going to see LJ regularly for a while yet, anyway:
"I have noticed people are prepared to give their opinion without actually seeing the photographs. I find this quite disturbing because this debate is very important. This is a debate that has to happen - but rationally."
- Michael Reid, (Art Market Analyst). The Sydney Morning Herald, 25 May 2008.
Everyone is bound to have their own opinion and bias, based upon their life experiences, background knowledge, and personal understanding of the situation. In my personal opinion, Bill Henson is not a paedophile; not with the evidence that has been presented so far.
His intention was to create art, not pornographic material. Should the police feel the need to prosecute, it is highly unlikely that they will, legally, win. Still, the damage is already done. One of Australia's premier artists will now, forever, be tainted by these claims
( ... )
Henson's work is amazing - his nudes are utterly exquisite. Personally, I think it's horrible the way this has all played out. However, Melissa, I would definitely like to refute your little comment here
( ... )
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I hope the photographer will be able to clear his name.
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What I don't understand is how this picture could start the controversy. I think the people who find this beautiful portrait sexually charged should really question themselves. I feel the nakedness here is about vulnerability rather than sex.
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(The comment has been removed)
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"I have noticed people are prepared to give their opinion without actually seeing the photographs. I find this quite disturbing because this debate is very important. This is a debate that has to happen - but rationally."
- Michael Reid, (Art Market Analyst). The Sydney Morning Herald, 25 May 2008.
Everyone is bound to have their own opinion and bias, based upon their life experiences, background knowledge, and personal understanding of the situation. In my personal opinion, Bill Henson is not a paedophile; not with the evidence that has been presented so far.
His intention was to create art, not pornographic material. Should the police feel the need to prosecute, it is highly unlikely that they will, legally, win. Still, the damage is already done. One of Australia's premier artists will now, forever, be tainted by these claims ( ... )
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It's like we have a surplus of internationally renowned artists! Now we won't even let them exhibit in their own backyards. *fumes*
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