I really recommend taking a look at Anna Skladmann’s Little Adults series of photographs. The disturbing pictures showcase the lives of privileged children living in Russia today – children who grow up too fast.
Skladmann says about the photos:
“The series “Little Adults” explores what it feels like to be a privileged child living in Russia, a country where its radical history and social hierarchy still rules their daily lives. It is the exploration of the recently growning society of the “Nouveau-Riche” in which little children have been raised to become the “Elite” and behave like little adults.”
For me, the theme that runs through the pictures is the vacant look in the eyes of each child. I really recommend checking out the whole set.
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Time for a new Revolution methinks.
First thought: What’s the message here? When it’s on Gossip Girl, it’s trendy and harmless. When it’s in Russia it’s just creepy?
Second thought: Ew. Some of those are little kids.
Third thought: Uhg. These seem to be erm, more artistic than documentary. Instead of gaining some insight to the decadent realities these children inhabit, I feel like I’ve only gained some insight to the decadent imagination of the photographer.
Fourth thought: OK, most of them seem innocuous enough.
But WTF is up with the little girl in the bikini and heels?! Seems a little exploitational to me. I think I really do not like this photographer. Who knows what the parents or whomever is supposed to be making sure these kids are not exploited are thinking (or not thinking)? I think in general I’ve lost patience with people passing off exploitation and nihilism and absolute lack of social responsibility as profound artistic statements about society. Yeah, it’s disturbing, I guess, “little adults”. Even though kids acting like little adults is not a phenomenon of the over-privileged, it’s just that their props are real. What’s disturbing to me about these photos is not kids feeling entitled to yachts but the adult who feels entitled to take pictures of sexualized kids and post them on the internet, and one assumes, make a profit from them. If some creepy dude in the unkempt house down the street did it, I’m sure he’d be summarily condemned as a pervert and possibly a criminal. A well-educated female artist does it, and it’s art or anthropology. Ok…
….
Though I’m on board with a new Revolution.
Not specifying Russia, I recall a piece on how (according to the article) a good number of “little adults” eventually become “big kids.”
With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how they’re in a few years time.
Then again, how much is this the formulated topic of the photo journalist versus the every day life of the photgraphed kids?
This point touches on how a media driven agenda can exaggerate an existing situation. This is said while being perfectly aware of an existing “little adult” situation in a number of countries.
I didn’t check to read (if available) the actual every day life of the photographed kids. Do the photos reflect their regular lifestyle?
Are there not previous situations where something isn’t quite as presented?
Michael Averko´s last blog post..Stop Using the Economy as an Excuse!
I came across a couple of these in a casino in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk once. Not much older than 15-16 years, Koreans, gambling with a few thousand dollars. They were probably the offspring of the owner.
Tim Newman´s last blog post..New Job, New Visa
Incidentally, this looks more to me like a themed photoshoot than anything resembling a depiction of Russian kids.
Tim Newman´s last blog post..New Job, New Visa
Yeah, it’s really not clear from Skladmann’s site whether these are real ‘rich kids’ or if it’s a staged photoshoot borne out of a photographer’s warped imagination.
I’m definitely with you all on the revolution front. So, what are we going to do with this brave new world we’re about to create?
Andy´s last blog post..Anna Skladmann: Russian ‘Little Adults’ pictures
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Alliance_of_Russian_Solidarists
Michael Averko´s last blog post..Online Automated Lead Generation and Sales System Begins Search for MLM Leaders
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleoconservatism
Last two links aren’t posted as a definitive suggestion.
They’re offered as alternatives to ***** funded advocacy, which seem to come with a certain slant.
Needless to say (perhaps) but said anyway, there will (likely) always be the pampered and the comparitively more oppressed.
A changed order faces an uphill situation requiring a nicely laid out program and support.
Michael Averko´s last blog post..Online Automated Lead Generation and Sales System Begins Search for MLM Leaders
Hi Everyone! Sorry I havent been around for a while, but stuck as I have been in the Irish equivalent of Magadan I couldnt read most of the time or contribute. And as Ireland heads down the tubes, all fun at work, including internet, has been cut back:-(
The piece reminds me a small bit of the adventures of Denis Salnikov in the pages of eXile. Too much money and sex!(can there be too much of those?). Admittedly Salnikov (Ames) was no child though.
I’m with Poemless on all of this. It makes me think of excellent goals in the World Cup. If a Brazilian gets one, its art and is shown over and over; whilst if some American or South Korean scores a belter its smiled at and forgotten. The pics are freaky to be honest – they’re about as sexy as a kick in the nuts.
BTW I’m sure you’ll announce it Andy but Shaktar Donetsk have just won the UEFA Cup. Donetsk will now be the last name to go on the trophy. Its a great day for them and I wonder how Dynamo Kiev fans are taking it. Hopefully they are celebrating too, like all Muscovites did when CSKA won it a few years back. Its just a pity that Russian and Ukrainian teams cant push on to real glory i.e Champions League. Sadly for them they seem permanently stuck in Europe’s 2nd tier.
Great result for Shaktar – I would’ve watched, but my girlfriend objected quite strenuously!
I tend to see Russia & Ukraine’s domination of the UEFA cup, but lack of success in the Champions League as a bit of a stepping stone for them. If Russian footballl can keep up its momentum (which really means maintain its financial backing – no mean feat in today’s climate) then I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Russian team making it through to the Champions League 1/4 finals in the next couple of years.
Hopefully they are celebrating too, like all Muscovites did when CSKA won it a few years back.
Huh?!! You mean you’ve forgotten that Zenit won it last year?!!
Tim Newman´s last blog post..New Job, New Visa
Yes, by all means, let’s have another Russian Revolution and watch it from abroad.
Russian Revolutions are such fun to watch!
Btw, there is a Russian team prominently present in the Champions League. It’s called “Chelsea”.
”…If Russian footballl can keep up its momentum (which really means maintain its financial backing – no mean feat in today’s climate)..”
This is true, and sad. In the Premier Leaguge right now one’s league position at the end is almost directly proportional to money spent. If you want to win stuff you need lots of money. The Russians and Ukrainians need to spend much more.
”Great result for Shaktar – I would’ve watched, but my girlfriend objected quite strenuously!”
I find locking women up in wardrobes, big cupboards, etc during important matches works no end:-)
”Huh?!! You mean you’ve forgotten that Zenit won it last year?!!”
Yes Tim but the only people in Russia celebrating that win were Zenit fans! With the possible exception of Dynamo Moscow, Zenit are the least popular team in Russia, outside of Petersburg.
”Btw, there is a Russian team prominently present in the Champions League. It’s called “Chelsea”.”
Yes but no Russian players. The only one they had was Smertin, and he was booted off to Pompey eventually. I know Hiddink has done well with the Sbornaya, but I think its just disguising the fact that Russian grassroots football is a shambles.
Couple of years ago I was in London, standing by a souvenir kiosk at Whitehall when a large group of Russian teenagers swarmed over and started buying Chelsea F.C. paraphernalia. One clueless boy asked the others, “Why buy Chelsea?”, and the rest of them yelled, “Because it’s a Russian team, durak!”
A true story.
I am deeply offended that the Irishman does not return my emails. Damn, you, Irishman!!!
Chris I had meant to reply, and thought I did, but I have been off the radar for a while – I have no internet in Connemara really and have been stuck there for a long time. I’ll be on to you shortly man.
”A true story”
Orange Revolution:
http://www.partyofregions.org.ua/eng/pr-east-west/4a1595d212131/
Michael Averko´s last blog post..FUSION FASHION FOR TEMPLE OF TIME
I heed not the false words of the Irishman,
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