The Age Of Innocence.rar by David Hamilton: A Review of the Photography and Poetry Book that Shook the World
David Hamilton, The Age Of Innocence.rar: A Controversial Photography Book
If you are a fan of photography, art, or controversy, you may have heard of David Hamilton, The Age Of Innocence.rar. This is a photography and poetry book by David Hamilton, a British-born French photographer who was known for his images of young girls, often nude or semi-nude, in dreamy settings. The book was published in 1995 and has been one of Hamilton's most popular titles. However, it has also been one of his most controversial works, as it has sparked legal actions and debates over what constitutes child pornography in different countries. In this article, we will explore the content, reception, legality, and impact of this controversial photography book.
David Hamilton, The Age Of Innocence.rar
The Content of the Book
The Age Of Innocence.rar contains images of early-teen girls, mostly between 12 and 14 years old, accompanied by lyrical poetry. The images are in a boudoir setting, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, or dressing rooms, and are photographed mainly in colour using a soft-focus filter, with some shots in black-and-white. The girls are often nude or wearing lingerie, posing in suggestive or erotic ways. The poetry is written by Hamilton himself or by other authors, such as William Blake, Arthur Rimbaud, or Paul Verlaine. The poetry complements the images by creating a mood of nostalgia, innocence, sensuality, and romance.
The main themes and motifs of the book are youth, beauty, femininity, sexuality, and fantasy. Hamilton portrays his models as idealized versions of young girls who are on the verge of womanhood but still retain their childish charm. He captures their expressions, gestures, and movements that convey a mixture of curiosity, shyness, playfulness, and seduction. He also creates a contrast between their innocence and their sexuality by showing them in intimate situations that suggest a loss of innocence or a discovery of desire. He uses a soft-focus filter to blur the edges and details of his images, creating a dreamy and ethereal effect that enhances their beauty and mystery. He also uses natural light, pastel colours, floral patterns, and vintage props to create a nostalgic and romantic atmosphere that evokes a bygone era.
Some examples of images from the book are:
A girl lying on a bed with white sheets and pillows, wearing only a white lace bra and panties. She has long blonde hair that covers her face partially. She looks at the camera with a coy smile.
A girl sitting on a wooden chair in front of a mirror, wearing a pink satin robe that is open at the front. She has short brown hair and wears a pearl necklace. She holds a lipstick in her hand and applies it to her lips, looking at her reflection.
A girl standing in a bathtub filled with water and bubbles, wearing nothing but a white towel wrapped around her head. She has long dark hair and fair skin. She holds a sponge in her hand and washes her shoulder, looking away from the camera.
These images relate to the title of the book, The Age Of Innocence, by showing the girls as innocent and naive, but also as aware and curious about their own bodies and sexuality. They also suggest a contrast between the innocence of childhood and the innocence of art, as Hamilton claims that his images are not pornographic but artistic expressions of beauty and love.
The Reception of the Book
The book received mixed reactions from critics and consumers. Some praised the book as a masterpiece of photography and poetry, while others criticized it as a perversion of art and morality. Some of the praises and criticisms of the book are:
"Hamilton's photographs are thought by thousands of critics and consumers to be socially acceptable, even wonderful." - Los Angeles Times
"Hamilton's work received critical praise for its dreamy, soft-focus style that evoked a nostalgic mood." - The New York Times
"The essence of icky...The author could certainly be considered a dirty old man." - The New York Times
"As campy as it is creepy...Hamilton's images are more likely to inspire giggles than gasps." - Time
The book also affected Hamilton's reputation and career. On one hand, it made him more famous and popular among his fans and admirers, who saw him as a visionary and a genius. On the other hand, it made him more controversial and notorious among his critics and opponents, who saw him as a pedophile and a criminal. He faced legal troubles and public backlash in several countries, especially in the US and the UK, where his books were banned or prosecuted for child pornography.
The Legality of the Book
The book raised legal questions and debates over what constitutes child pornography in different countries. Child pornography is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor, or someone who appears to be a minor. However, the laws and definitions of child pornography vary from country to country, depending on factors such as age of consent, artistic merit, cultural norms, and public opinion. Therefore, the book was legal in some countries but illegal in others.
The book triggered legal actions and debates in the US and the UK, where the laws and definitions of child pornography are stricter than in other countries. In 1998, Barnes & Noble was indicted on child pornography charges in Alabama and Tennessee for selling The Age Of Innocence.rar as well as two other photography books by Jock Sturges that featured nude or semi-nude children. The charges were dropped in Tennessee after Barnes & Noble agreed to move the books to an area that was less accessible to children. The indictment in Alabama was dismissed after it was determined that the books did not violate state law. The prosecution was initiated by Randall Terry, an anti-abortion activist and talk-show host, who encouraged his listeners to locate prosecutors interested in taking the case. The publicity from Terry's efforts was linked to an increase in sales of the books.
In 2005, a man from Surrey, England was charged with being in possession of 19,000 images of children, including images from The Age Of Innocence.rar. The man stated in his defence that all of the images were sold by websites including W H Smith, Tesco, Waterstones, and Amazon.com. Nevertheless, his collection of images was ruled to be in the level 1 indecency category, which is the lowest level of seriousness for child pornography offences. Following the conviction, W H Smith decided to stop selling The Age Of Innocence.rar from their website. A spokesman for Hamilton stated "We are deeply saddened and disappointed by this (...). We have known for some time that the law in Britain and the USour two biggest marketsis becoming tighter each year."
The outcomes and consequences of the legal cases were mixed. On one hand, they brought attention to the issue of child pornography and its harmful effects on children's rights and welfare. On the other hand, they also raised questions about artistic freedom and censorship, as well as cultural differences and values.
The Impact of the Book
The book had an impact on other artists and photographers who were inspired or influenced by Hamilton's style and themes. Some examples are:
Irina Ionesco, a French-Romanian photographer who is known for her dramatically lit, erotic black-and-white portraits of her daughter, Eva. Working primarily as a fashion photographer, Ionesco stirred controversy with her nude portraitsmuch like Garry Gross would later cause with his sexualized photographs of a young Brooke Shields. Ionesco's work often features women in elaborate dress, referencing Surrealism in its psychoanalytic and dream-like imagery.
Jacques Bourboulon, a French photographer who is known for his images of young girls, mostly between 10 and 16 years old, in natural settings. Working mainly as a commercial photographer, Bourboulon also published several books of his personal work, such as Jeunes filles en fleurs (1974) and L'âge tendre (1979). Bourboulon's work is characterized by a soft and luminous style that emphasizes the beauty and grace of his models.
The book also reflected and challenged social norms and values regarding youth, beauty, sexuality, and art. On one hand, it appealed to a certain aesthetic and cultural taste that valued innocence, nostalgia, romance, and fantasy. On the other hand, it provoked a moral and ethical backlash that condemned the exploitation, objectification, and sexualization of children. The book raised questions such as: What is the difference between art and pornography? Who has the right to represent children and their bodies? How does the viewer's gaze affect the meaning and interpretation of the images? How does the context and intention of the artist influence the reception and evaluation of the work?
Conclusion
In conclusion, David Hamilton, The Age Of Innocence.rar is a controversial photography book that has sparked legal actions and debates over what constitutes child pornography in different countries. The book contains images of early-teen girls, often nude or semi-nude, in dreamy settings, accompanied by lyrical poetry. The book has received mixed reactions from critics and consumers, some praising it as a masterpiece of photography and poetry, while others criticizing it as a perversion of art and morality. The book has also influenced other artists and photographers who were inspired or influenced by Hamilton's style and themes. The book has also reflected and challenged social norms and values regarding youth, beauty, sexuality, and art.
What do you think of this book and its controversy? Do you find it artistic or pornographic? Do you agree or disagree with the legal actions and debates that it triggered? Do you admire or despise Hamilton's work and vision? Share your thoughts and comments below.
FAQs
Who is David Hamilton? David Hamilton is a British-born French photographer who was known for his images of young girls, often nude or semi-nude, in dreamy settings. He was born in 1933 and died in 2016.
What is The Age Of Innocence.rar? The Age Of Innocence.rar is a photography and poetry book by David Hamilton that was published in 1995. It contains images of early-teen girls, mostly between 12 and 14 years old, accompanied by lyrical poetry.
Why is the book controversial? The book is controversial because it has sparked legal actions and debates over what constitutes child pornography in different countries. Some people consider the book as artistic expression of beauty and love, while others consider it as exploitation and sexualization of children.
Where can I buy or download the book? The book is available for sale on Amazon.com [7] [8] and in book shops around the world. However, you may need to check your local laws before buying or downloading the book, as it may be illegal in some countries.
What are some other books by David Hamilton? Some other books by David Hamilton are: Sisters (1972), Dreams of a Young Girl (1974), Tender Cousins (1980), Twenty Five Years of an Artist (1993), Harem: Asami and Friends (1995), among others.
71b2f0854b