making of smoking kids expo frieke janssens

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.

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[fuzztanks]

The "smokes" weren't real

[Pluto Konijntje]

For those quick to criticise, she wrote on her site,

'I wanted to isolate the viewer's focus upon the issue of smoking itself. I felt that children smoking would have a surreal impact' as well as 'there is a nod to less attractive aspects, on the line between the beauty and ugliness of smoking.'

And even though this should be obvious, 'there were no real cigarettes on set. Instead, chalk and sticks of cheese were the prop stand ins, while candles and incense provided the wisps of smoke.'

[Ivosazar]

had to laugh

[Ivosazar]

Dumbass

[alisonclaree]

If you had read about her project then you would know that they were pieces of chalk and incense etc. NOT cigarettes, not that one cigarette would make you addicted to smoking anyway -.-

[edithedward]

wow, amazing photos!

[otheraccountbrew]

wow what an idiot HAHA

[Phillip Colbert]

Funny....

[Guillermo Nasiff]

Exquisite photography!

So inspiring with a surreal content!!!

[Vynse Stakado]

these photos were stunning

[HermitMarmot]

This video makes me want to take up smoking.

[Aquatwin22]

gorgeously done photography. The time you put into this is great. I also like how you were able to find methods in which you could simulate what looks like smoking but it isnt instead of having to put in photo-shopped smoke. It adds a lot to the image. Plus the way it makes people think is very amazing. I think my favorite part is the decade theme's that appear throughout.