
Alicia Framis
Not for Sale, 2007
Colorphotograph
232 x 181
edition 1 of 2
Not for Sale (2007) is a work in progress about children that are for sale around the world. The project started in Bangkok, Thailand, where Framis made the first portraits...
Not for Sale (2007) is a work in progress about children that are for sale around the world. The project started in Bangkok, Thailand, where Framis made the first portraits of children. The children are naked except for a necklace that says 'Not for Sale'. At first sight, the images appear to be sweet and soft; the boys are smiling and seem to be happy and healthy. It is only when you have a second look that you notice what Framis is pointing out: the reality of the fragile and dangerous position of many children these days. And the real risk to be actually sold.
Since she is living in China, Framis has been interested in the idea of portraits as propaganda, like the ones of Mao Zedong, or the king of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej. Adulyadej's portrait hangs everywhere in Bangkok;. Framis is using the same measures for her photo's as Adulyadej's. In Not for Sale we see the methods of propaganda portraits used on a different subject. Abulyadej's propaganda posters have an optimistic, cheerful appearance in which certain details or attributes are conveying the message. Framis shows these beautiful smiling kids in their idyllic surroundings, with only their small attribute of a necklace revealing their possible fate.
Since she is living in China, Framis has been interested in the idea of portraits as propaganda, like the ones of Mao Zedong, or the king of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej. Adulyadej's portrait hangs everywhere in Bangkok;. Framis is using the same measures for her photo's as Adulyadej's. In Not for Sale we see the methods of propaganda portraits used on a different subject. Abulyadej's propaganda posters have an optimistic, cheerful appearance in which certain details or attributes are conveying the message. Framis shows these beautiful smiling kids in their idyllic surroundings, with only their small attribute of a necklace revealing their possible fate.