light bulbs

I have now read the Good Weekend extract from David Marr's book about  Bill Henson. To answer my question at the end of the previous post, this extract doesn't spend much time criticising the people who have questioned Bill Henson's photos, its main purpose is to depict the photos as being an act without any victim, and therefore above criticism. There are long and laborious descriptions of the process of Henson finding his models, talking to parents, setting up studio sessions etc, all with the intention of portraying them as morally neutral actions which have no victim.

First of all, from a Christian viewpoint, this ignores the idea that people are more than their bodies, and obsession with physical bodies distracts us from considering each other as made in the image of God, with an immortal soul, no matter how beautiful or repulsive our physical appearance may be. I assume Bill and David will disagree with this idea.

That said, the article reveals its assumptions and obsessions eg:

"Henson doesn't claim to understand exactly why his models work for him or exactly what they get from the experience, but he believes the kids are stronger for it: "They gain some strength because it's a big decision to make, and really no one else can make it for them."

Well Bill, they are children, and they are being influence by the adults around them, including yourself, even if you don't realise it.

"Though Henson often promised me access to the world of his former models, it never occurred. He put this down to shyness and fear of the press"

Bill, it might be a good idea to think longer about this shyness and what prompts it. Maybe they have regrets.

As for the internet,  "He won't have a bar of those he calls scaremongers for being as terrified of the internet as primitive man was of the wheel. He's happy for his work to be seen on the net."

Bill, it's good you are happy. What about the children? What about the potential child molesters who cruise the net?

"What matters is art's impact. 'It's a force for good. That's my answer to the internet thing'."

In other words, Bill says art always trumps the concern of parents and society to protect children. Sorry, Bill, that's not good enough, art has its own responsibilities.

Finally, of course, there is the issue of the Melbourne school principal who allowed Henson to wander around the playground looking for subjects. What is the motive behind Marr and Henson revealing this behaviour? Of course it is all over the media today and will be brought up in federal parliament.

If Marr and Henson are really surprised by this reaction, they are truly not the brightest flashbulbs in the bag.