Wrap up of David Marr’s Brisbane talk
October 8, 2008 – 11:54 pmHe’s been labeled an apologist and cheerleader for Bill Henson, but it’s fair to say David Marr’s insight into Australia’s most recent underage art saga doesn’t come close to being matched by any other journalist in this country. Marr’s access to Henson and the families involved puts him in a unique position to lend much needed clarity to the case and his talk at the Sate Library of QLD tonight was no exception.
David Marr at State Library of Queensland, October 8, 2008.
Marr broke down the entire series of events into stages. From the tabloid feeding frenzy and the rhetoric bidding war played out by politicians, to the final realisation that no laws were broken and the return of some sane debate about the issue. But as we’ve seen this week, it’s unfortunately a never ending cycle.
Perhaps most revealing though are his conversations with the other major players in this controversy. Like his hilarious chat over the phone with Senator Bill Heffernan about ‘masturbation rules’ or his sobering discussion with senior police who said if people think Henson’s photographs are child pornography, they need to see the real stuff.
It’s also where Marr gets to the core of the censorship: Australian’s have a hard hard time separating things they don’t like with things they want banned. For too many they go hand in hand and don’t we know it all to well.
However, some might say consent is where these Bill Henson photographs begin and end. I’m sure one or two members of the audience suggested it tonight. Did the model have the knowledge, the authority, and the voice to consent to them being taken. To people like Hetty Johnston, the answer is no. She might be right, but Marr tells of the time he asked Johnston whether she had the right to announce to the public that her seven year old daughter had been molested. Who consented to that information being released. Her answer: But she wasn’t naked.
If your in Melbourne or Sydney, definitely head to one of David Marr’s talks. As for me, it’s late, I’ve had one too many Krispy Kreme’s and I better get started on reading the book.
Also of note: A member of the audience said a child used in the Australian Government’s new tourism advertising campaign was scouted at a school. If this turns out to be true, I’d expect to see it hit the papers in the coming days.
3 Responses to “Wrap up of David Marr’s Brisbane talk”
“Also of note: A member of the audience said a child used in the Australian Government’s new tourism advertising campaign was scouted at a school.”
Check out some of the blogs. I found this one interesting.
http://laborview.blogspot.com/2008/10/reflections-on-bill-henson-witch-hunt.html
“In 2006 part of my teaching job at Maningrida Community Education Centre was as Careers teacher. During the year a poster was circulated by a casting agency for the upcoming Baz Luhrmann film, Australia. They were looking for indigenous children and were hoping for assistance from schools in identifying prospective “child” actors, both Primary school age and adolescents. As part of this process, I helped one of our Year 12 students to make an audition tape which was unsuccessful.
I have no criticism of anyone involved in this search for talent. All the protocols about gaining permission from parents were followed as far as I know. No one came into our school, possibly because of its remoteness.
The photo above is from the film’s official website. This story reminded me of another Arnhem youth who went to school in Maningrida, David Gulpulil. He first appeared in the 1971 film Walkabout. The film was controversial partly because of the nudity of both 15 year old Gulpilil and 16 year old co-star Jenny Agutter.
It is doubtful whether Walkabout would have screened uncut if it was released in today’s current child-protection climate. Apparently the film was only available in a censored version for many years.”
By Bob Bain on Oct 9, 2008
I didn’t claim that the child actors in ‘Australia’ were scouted at a school. I don’t know any of the child actors or how they were approached. I intended no criticism of anyone associated with Baz Luhrmann’s film. I was trying to put the Henson controversy in its wider context.
Thanks to Bob Bain for posting my remarks.
By Kevin Rennie on Oct 9, 2008
Just to clarify folks, Kevin Rennie was not the the audience member I mentioned in the post who spoke in Brisbane.
By Mike on Oct 9, 2008