British artist David Hockney has expressed his outrage after the Paris Metro banned a photograph of him holding a cigarette from being used in an advertisement for his upcoming retrospective. In a statement to The Independent, Hockney described the decision as "complete madness," emphasizing his frustration with what he perceives as unnecessary censorship.
The controversial image was intended to promote the exhibition titled "David Hockney 25," which opens this week at the Fondation Louis Vuitton (FLV). In the photograph, Hockney is seen seated, with a crayon in one hand and a cigarette in the other, while a larger self-portrait hangs behind him. However, the transit system's legal team informed Hockney that the advertisement could not be used due to regulations prohibiting the promotion of tobacco products.
Hockney, who has lived in France since 2019 after spending 55 years in Los Angeles, has long been an advocate for personal freedoms, including the right to smoke. He moved to France partly to enjoy the ability to smoke and dine in restaurants simultaneously, a luxury he felt was increasingly restricted in the United States. "Art has always been a path to free expression and this is a dismal decision," he stated, lamenting the increasing restrictions on personal choices.
Norman Rosenthal, co-curator of the FLV exhibition, echoed Hockney's sentiments, noting, "He’s 87. He has smoked, I don’t know, maybe 100 cigarettes a day and he still smokes." Rosenthal acknowledged Hockney's awareness of his health, saying, "His lungs are not in a good way, and he accepts that fact. For him, smoking is a symbol of freedom, to end bossiness." This reflects a broader cultural context where smoking, despite its known health risks, is often associated with individual liberty and artistic expression.
The French advertising agency Mediatransports, a subsidiary of Publicis that manages public transport advertising for the RATP, clarified that the ban adheres to French law, which prohibits both direct and indirect advertising of tobacco-related products. This legal framework, known as the Evin Law, aims to reduce tobacco consumption and protect public health.
Hockney's frustration is compounded by his long history with smoking, which he has openly discussed in various interviews. In a 2022 conversation with The Times, he remarked, "I’ve been smoking for 70 years. I started at 16, I’m now 86 and I’m doing quite well, thank you. I love tobacco and I will continue to smoke until I fall." His defiance against smoking bans is not new; he has previously criticized the UK's restrictions on smoking in public spaces, arguing that such measures infringe on personal freedoms.
In his critique of the Paris Metro's decision, Hockney pointed out the irony of the situation: "They oppose the photo, while I smoke in the painting I hold!" This highlights his belief that art should not be subject to the same restrictions as commercial advertising. He described the ban as a "lamentable decision" and a sign of the increasing authoritarianism that he feels is encroaching on personal liberties.
Rosenthal further emphasized the absurdity of the situation, stating, "A such censorship on a poster promoting one of the greatest exhibitions of a living artist for a generation is incomprehensible. Paris is a city of freedom and revolution, deeply rooted in its history; this goes against all of that."
The controversy surrounding Hockney's advertisement is not an isolated incident. In 2009, the RATP also banned a poster for the film "Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life" for similar reasons, demonstrating a pattern of strict adherence to anti-tobacco laws in public spaces.
Hockney is known for his vibrant and often provocative works, and his connection to smoking is woven throughout his artistic identity. He has often portrayed smoking in his art, and his candid discussions about tobacco reflect a complex relationship with the substance that many find relatable.
As the opening of "David Hockney 25" approaches, the artist's discontent with the ban serves as a reminder of the ongoing tension between artistic expression and public health regulations. Hockney's career, spanning decades, illustrates the challenges artists face in navigating societal norms and legal restrictions while trying to maintain their creative freedoms.
In the wake of this incident, it remains to be seen how Hockney's exhibition will be received and whether the controversy will overshadow the art itself. For now, Hockney stands firm in his belief that art should not be censored, regardless of the medium or the message it conveys.
