A YouTube video of a chainsmoking Indonesian toddler inspired me to create this series, "Smoking Kids". The video highlighted the cultural differences between the east and west, and questioned notions of smoking being a mainly adult activity.
Adult smokers are the societal norm, so I wanted to point the viewer's focus on the issue of smoking itself. I felt that seeing children smoke would have a surreal impact on the viewer and compel them to truly see the acts of smoking rather than making assumptions about the person doing it. Coincidentally around the time of the gallery opening of "Smoking Kids", a law was passed that banned smoking from Belgian bars. There was an outcry from the public about government intervention, feelings that freedom was being oppressed, and that adults were being treated like children?
With health reasons driving many cities to ban smoking, the culture around smoking has a retro feel. It's like a throw back to the 'Mad Men' era when smoking on a plane or in a restaurant was not unusual. The aesthetics of smoke and the particular way smokers gesticulate with their hands and their posture cannot be denied, but among the different tribes of "Smoking Kids," - Glamour, Jazz, and The Marginal - there is a nod to less attractive aspects, balancing the line between the beauty and ugliness of smoking.
To assure you of the safety of the children, there were no real cigarettes on set. Instead, chalk and sticks of cheese were used as props, while candles and incense provided the wisps of smoke.
SMOKING KIDS expo at the Ingrid deuss gallery - provinciestraat 11 - Antwerp - 30-06-2011
Camera by Matthias Lebeer, Koen Vernimmen and Ioannis Tsouloulis. Editing Alexandre Nerac & Matthias Lebeer and Befocus visual agency.
Many thanks to: Ingrid Deuss, Karen De Schepper, Olivier Fimmers, Koen Vernimmen, Sigrid Volders, Alfred Kika, Beefactory, Albino, Lisa Lapauw, Romain Menke & mama, Britt Ange, Promokids, Sanne Wilde, Rebecca Despeghel, Annelien Debusschere, Ministar, Peter Russel, Streetcasting, Matthias Lebeer, Ioannis Tsouloulis, Gino Dobbelaer, Milo, Francine De Caluwe van & Oona en Christoph Ruys.
The stars: Bryan, Ella, Emmanuelle, Leah, de Jade's, Gauthier, Luca, Mathilde, Poco, Emilie, Thémis, Tayu, Taeike, Bente, Casper, Chloé and their parents.
And a big big thank you and sorry for the people I might forgot.
And many thanks tot Ingrid Deuss & Olivier.
