Mr Henson & Art

[H M Bascom]

What do you think of Bill Henson's photography?

Do you think it is art or child exploitation?

Were the Australian authorities correct to raid the Gallery and seize the photos?

Let's hear your thoughts on this touchy subject. No personal attacks please. :-)

[Luke Luther]

it is so hard to separate out our puritanical views about nudity. i saw some of the images (not all) and thought that they potentially could be exploitive. i asked myself if they would be offensive if the subjects were adults instead of children. the answer is no to that simple question. i am not sure i know where the line between exploitation and art is in this instance. i am also unsure about the context in which he obtained "permission" to shoot the images with the children. also it is of a concern to me because i don't know how the images will be used. question: does this kind of art encourage pedophilia? abuse? child sexual assault?

question: would i allow him to take photos of my 13 year old daughter and offer them as art? question: how is this different than the media frenzy about Miley Cyrus? question: would it be looked at differently if the photographer were female or a mother?

i am not sure if the Australian authorities were correct. do the Australians have laws and social mores that prohibit this kind of art? have the Australians been as diligent about protecting the "rights" of the aboriginals when it comes to photojournalism, and documentary photography?

[H M Bascom]

Yes, Luke a lot of unanswered questions. The Miley Cyrus images were too alluring for a 15 year old girl, in my opinion. They were just too sexy. I think those were exploitation of her. The Henson photos . . . hmmm, that's a tough one. I saw some of the images on the web, and honestly, they are quite good. However, I think he used poor judgment in publishing the photos. If he were in the United States, he would be thrown under the jail because we are so zealous about children and protecting them.