Since the age of silent cinema, smoking has played an important role in the symbolism of the characters. In noir hard-boiled movies, cigarettes were often used to describe their character and add an aura of mystery and nihilism. Marlene Dietrich, Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn have been closely identified with their smoking character, and some of their most famous portraits see them haloed by a fog of cigarette smoke.

Subverting their literary and retro charm, Frieke Janssens‘ Smoking Kids series reflects with a provocative and shocking tone on the aesthetics of smoking, portraying children as fierce smokers from the Mad Man series. The particular way of gesturing with the hands and posture of smokers is shown in a surreal and critical way, isolating the viewer’s attention thanks to the disturbing impact of his shots. An alienating effect caused by the contrasts, the glossy, stereotyped and glamorous aspect of an advertisement of the 50s.

Pimps and experienced-looking movie stars, hipsters and outcasts, Frieke Janssens’ children draw a fine line between the cinematic charm and the unpleasantness of smoking.

Power and seduction, social criticism and moral degeneration.