“Smoking Kids” is a compelling and slightly disturbing personal project by Brussels based photographer Frieke Janssens. She was inspired to create this series after watching a YouTube video of a chainsmoking Indonesian toddler. This is what Frike has to say about her project.

“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 isolate the viewer’s focus upon the issue of smoking itself. I felt that children smoking would have a surreal impact upon the viewer and compel them to truly see the acts of smoking rather than making assumptions about the person doing the act.”

 

Frike feels that the culture of smoking has a retro feel, hence her photos capture a time period of Mad Men, when smoking on a plane or in a restaurant was not uncommon. Her photographs also capture the fine line between the beauty and ugliness of smoking. And in case you are horrified about this whole thing, no real cigarettes were used on set, assuring the safety of the children. Instead, chalk and sticks of cheese were used as props, while candles and incense provided the wisps of smoke.

 

[Found via veryverybeautiful. Images © Frieke Janssens.]



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7 Responses

  1. Lauren

    I’m not sure why, but I love these! They’re just so wrong they’re right! That girl in the pink reminds me of Gwyneths character in the Royal Tenanbaums. Cool.

    Reply
  2. gavin

    I love them too! Especially the Grace Jones Mini Me! There will be people at the cancer council who will spontaneously combust if they see this!

    Reply
  3. yellowtrace

    Thank you for your comments guys. And Lauren – I love your description – “they are so wrong they’re right”. That’s exactly how I feel about them…

    Reply
  6. Oliver @ Sabi Style

    It’s quite mesmerising.

    For me it’s the facial expressions that go with the act of smoking that makes it so real and indeed so clever.

    It is as if she took a picture of an adult just having a smoke but the camera has magically turned them into the younger child version of themselves but kept the more adult expression.

    There is nothing of the innocence we associate with kids which, for me, gives it such an incredable vibe.

    Very clever and thought provoking.

    Reply

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