How the controversy started Sally Mann was an established, notable photographer before the publication of “Immediate Family”. The isolated snapshots allow audiences to peek into the primitive lifestyle. The rural setting provided the children with unique freedoms and it also provided Mann a beautiful backdrop while documenting their growth and lifestyle. Viewers do not understand the unique primitive lifestyle captured in the images (Foerstner 1993). Many of the photographs are described as provocative because of the nudity. The images that Mann created are haunting and graphic. “Immediate Family” is Mann’s third book. Unlike the other two books, this one sold out in three months, making her a commercial success (Mann 2015). The book’s
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It was during this time that she began to document her own children. Mann’s work and lifestyle were strongly influenced by her father who was a doctor, but also an eccentric artist (Woodward 1992). Mann’s children have grown up with freedom, running around the farm, often nude, and very accustomed to being photographed. The rural farm had no electricity or running water, and the family grows much of their food in the garden (Mann 2015). They are willing participants in the majority of the images. At times, the pictures are set up and the children are merely actors. They appear to play roles or portray characters at times (Valania 1992). The images are capturing the children as they play, and go about their daily lives. As most mother 's focus on capturing happy, proud moments, Mann captures all the moments that document the children, as grim as they may appear. Many of the images show the children playing, dirty, happy, swimming, and being children. Other images magnify their bruises, scrapes, black eyes, chicken pox, and even wet beds. An example is the image titled “Damage Child” where Mann’s daughter Jessie, has a swollen eye (Steward, 2000). This image is criticized because the viewer cannot tell if the swollen eye is from a bug bite, an allergic reaction, or …show more content…
Child pornography Federal laws are in place in many states that would create a lot of trouble for artists like Mann (Woodward 1992). These laws would not only seize her work but she would also lose custody of her children, if charged (Roberts 2005). Looking at Mann’s work, it is easy to see that there it is not pornography. “There isn’t the slightest question that what she is doing is art, so her motives and the artistic value would be unmistakable to the Supreme Court (Valania 1992).” First amendment attorney Edward de Grazia, states that the nudity in Mann’s photographs challenges her artistic freedom of expression because of the state child pornography laws (Foerstner 1993). These laws are challenging to artists like Mann but the artistic merit of the images makes it easy to defend them (Foerstner 1993). Despite the controversy and criticism, Mann did not face any charges (Roberts 2005). De Grazia feels that artists like Mann have helped change the public’s attitude toward pornography laws (Roberts 2005). Additionally, to make her children felt at ease, and to ensure that they were protected from pedophiles, the Mann family visited at length with FBI investigator Kenneth Lanning. He confirmed that the context of the images along with the perception, was the most important thing (Mann 2015). The context of
It was during this time that she began to document her own children. Mann’s work and lifestyle were strongly influenced by her father who was a doctor, but also an eccentric artist (Woodward 1992). Mann’s children have grown up with freedom, running around the farm, often nude, and very accustomed to being photographed. The rural farm had no electricity or running water, and the family grows much of their food in the garden (Mann 2015). They are willing participants in the majority of the images. At times, the pictures are set up and the children are merely actors. They appear to play roles or portray characters at times (Valania 1992). The images are capturing the children as they play, and go about their daily lives. As most mother 's focus on capturing happy, proud moments, Mann captures all the moments that document the children, as grim as they may appear. Many of the images show the children playing, dirty, happy, swimming, and being children. Other images magnify their bruises, scrapes, black eyes, chicken pox, and even wet beds. An example is the image titled “Damage Child” where Mann’s daughter Jessie, has a swollen eye (Steward, 2000). This image is criticized because the viewer cannot tell if the swollen eye is from a bug bite, an allergic reaction, or …show more content…
Child pornography Federal laws are in place in many states that would create a lot of trouble for artists like Mann (Woodward 1992). These laws would not only seize her work but she would also lose custody of her children, if charged (Roberts 2005). Looking at Mann’s work, it is easy to see that there it is not pornography. “There isn’t the slightest question that what she is doing is art, so her motives and the artistic value would be unmistakable to the Supreme Court (Valania 1992).” First amendment attorney Edward de Grazia, states that the nudity in Mann’s photographs challenges her artistic freedom of expression because of the state child pornography laws (Foerstner 1993). These laws are challenging to artists like Mann but the artistic merit of the images makes it easy to defend them (Foerstner 1993). Despite the controversy and criticism, Mann did not face any charges (Roberts 2005). De Grazia feels that artists like Mann have helped change the public’s attitude toward pornography laws (Roberts 2005). Additionally, to make her children felt at ease, and to ensure that they were protected from pedophiles, the Mann family visited at length with FBI investigator Kenneth Lanning. He confirmed that the context of the images along with the perception, was the most important thing (Mann 2015). The context of