UK: Seized 'art porn' owned by Sir Elton John (being examined to determine if it's child porn)

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | September 25, 2007 | Sophie Borland and Nigel Reynolds

[Stoat]

Seized 'art porn' owned by Sir Elton John

By Sophie Borland and Nigel Reynolds
 

Last Updated: 4:49pm BST 25/09/2007

A photograph by a controversial American artist which is part of Sir Elton John's private collection has been seized by police from a gallery on suspicion it may have breached child pornography laws.

• The image, which featured two young girls one of whom was sitting down with her legs wide apart, was taken by the renowned photographer Nan Goldin.

  The shot, from the artist's Thanksgiving series, was to be exhibited at the Baltic Modern Art gallery, Tyneside, this week along with some of her other work. But the day before it was due to be viewed by the public, police came and removed the image over fears that it might be breaking the law.

  It is thought that one of the assistant directors at the centre called in the authorities last Thursday after a private view as he was concerned that the picture could be offensive.

  The picture is now being examined by lawyers at the Crown Prosecution Service.

  Officials at the gallery confirmed that the police were involved but refused to say who had decided the picture should be removed.

  Peter Doroschenko, the director of the gallery, said: "I'm afraid I can't comment on this."

  Claire Byers, the communications director, said: "The police are involved in this incident and we are fully cooperating with their inquiries. That is all I can say on this at the moment."

  The image is being examined by police and lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service are offering preliminary advice.

  A Northumbria police spokesman said yesterday: "The circumstances around who may have been involved in the production of the image and who may have owned it or owns it forms part of the investigation.

  "We attended the Baltic Centre last Thursday at the invitation of the management who were seeking advice about an item for an exhibition prior to it going on public display.

  "This item is being assessed and Northumbria Police, in consultation with the CPS, is investigating the circumstances surrounding it. The incident is ongoing and investigations are now being carried out."

  Goldin, 54, is well known for her shots of young, semi-clothed girls.

  Thanksgiving is described by the Baltic as an installation of photographs which documents Goldin's life from 1973 to 1999 - "a micro-retrospective of her career."

  In 2001, one of her photos featuring a very young naked girl looking up between the open legs of a semi-clothed older child had been criticised for making money from exploiting children. It was published in a book alongside similar works to accompany an exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in north London.

  Goldin was born in Washington DC, ran away from home and was fostered by several families during her childhood. She moved to New York after graduating from art school where she took became known for pictures of alcoholics, drug addicts and Aids sufferers.

  She was admitted to rehab in the 1990s and much of her work since has reflected her own experiences.

  Sir Elton John has long been an admirer of her work and is also a close friend. He was not available for comment and a spokesman referred inquiries to the Baltic.

  This is not the first time an artist's pictures of children has been stripped from a public gallery over fears that it was obscene.

[Stoat]

And don't let's forget about (arguably) the sickest puppy of 'em all: Gary Glitter.

Oh Lawdy, talk about evil!

I suppose that for some, having fabulous wealth gives them the freedom to publicly exercise their true personas which other sick perverts have to keep hidden, as they don't have the ability to hire expensive lawyers to get them out of 'indiscretions'.

 

[MikeGranby]

> I have seen the photo in question. There
> is no doubt that they’re under 18. More
> like 5 year olds.

This puts the police in an interesting position. Given that they have charged people with the possession of child porn for having much less shocking images (eg. children on the beach) then if they let this one go, they’re rather going against the entire direction of their recent policy. And yet if the go after Sir Elton, they’ll be going after a popular figure, and they risk jury nullification...

[pianomikey]

Good point. Not sure where the line would be drawn. If I had a picture of my topless two year old niece that couldn’t possibly be considered provocative, no one would bat an eye. Had she been in a diaper? Panties? Less? I wouldn’t go there, but yeah, how young is “acceptable” for naked baby photos?? Five or six years old is obviously getting toward pedo territory, but why? It’s a tough call, but then again it’s likely that if they’re pedophiles they’ll have far more incriminating photos than the “borderline” ones. As a previous freeper posted, let’s see what turns up on his hard drive...

[Rennes Templar]

“I have always said that if I stand naked on top of my gallery building and drop $100 bills all day long, we would easily make the national press.”

Actually I think if you did that fully clothed you would make national press.

That said, I hope they nail EJ.

[Grizzled Bear]

Utah Binger is the one who wants to stand around naked throwing $100 bills (post 11). I just suggested throwing feces in post 40.

[Maelstorm]

“Why do people get such a jolly out of being creepy with kids?? I just do not get it.”

That is a very good question. It is horrible. I think it is a combination of things like control and availability. Some of the individuals think they ‘love’ the child and who in a most twisted way believe sex is the next step. That is one of the dangers of allowing sex and love become so confused in society. It helps set the stage for the awakening of monsters.

[TFFKAMM]

Also, many of them had it done to themselves as kids, and internalized it as “normal.” Truly a vicious cycle.

[Maelstorm]

Yes that is true, many abusers were abused. I’ve always been highly concerned that so many male homosexuals report that they were abused or had sex with older men while children. Not that homosexuals are the only abusers which would be farthest from the case. I do not however think many really think the abuse is normal. A person can not grow up and not know that it isn’t. I do think that the psychology of couping with abuse can sometimes be turned in on itself.

Those who are abused as children grow up with a profound sense of inferiority and powerlessness. Some find positive ways to overcome this and others find comfort and pleasure in the abuse of those who they do not feel powerless against. I think for some their abuse of children is a reflection of their own internalized self hatred that powerless child that they were.

[Paulus]

The modles remind me of the Metallica video “Whiskey in the jar”

[massgopguy]

I suspected something was strange about Elton John back in the 70’s when we wrote Hold Me Closer Tony Danza.

[Old Professer]

Wow, that's got to be the biggest window A/C unit in the world...

[Maelstrom]

Many homosexual men have a sexual interest in prepubescent girls for some reason.

I think it has to do with the underlying reason they are homosexual in the first place...sexual deviancies running together and all that.