The power of pictures
Swiss photographer Christian Lutz began a reportage on the International Christian Fellowship (ICF) more than two years ago after gaining explicit approval from the founder of the community, its managers and event organisers. But more than 20 legal complaints stopped the publication of Lutz’s book, In Jesus’ Name.
A black bar in some pictures covers the faces of church followers who argue a breach of their image rights. The American-style ICF was founded in Switzerland in the 1990s and is one of the largest free evangelical churches in the country. Lutz, from Geneva, has been working on a trilogy of political, economic and religious power.
Photo 3. Petition text: “Plaintiff 8, aged 25 years, is wearing a camouflage uniform with a headband around his forehead; he seems exhausted and is staring into space; he is not looking at the man on his left. It is not clear what the participants’ role play has to do with the military, nor is it clear what religion has to do with military service.”
Photo 4. Petition text: “Plaintiff 17, aged 21 years, is the man on the left, wearing a yellow T-shirt. His hands are placed on the thigh of a child, who is clearly a minor. This child is sitting on a chair, with his hands in front of his face. The picture does not make the plaintiff’s intention clear. The photo could give the impression to a third party that there is a sexual motivation. The offensive way in which this has been represented is harmful to the person in question.”
Photo 7. Petition text: “Plaintiff 4, aged 20 years old, is in the centre of the picture. Her eyes are closed. The photo gives the impression that she wants to baptise another young girl, who is sitting in a bathtub. In the background are snowboards, which, given their position, must be in the process of drying. The photo appears condescending. As it could be a baptism or a prayer, the viewer could expect that this ‘ritual’ would take place in a suitable environment and not in a bathroom or wet room. Or is it to be understood that the girl in the bath has cut her wrists? The text at the end of the book could lead to this interpretation.”
Photo 10. Petition text: “This photo is one of the most extreme in the book. The image could give the impression of paedophilia. It could be thought that plaintiff 11a, in the green polo shirt, has impregnated plaintiff 11b, aged 14 years old (!), who sitting in front of him. Even worse, it could be thought that the photo shows members of a sect which allows polygamy or sexual relations with children. The truth is that plaintiff 11a is the father of plaintiff 11b. Plaintiff 7 is looking downwards and the other men have their eyes closed, as if they are ashamed. The photo was taken during the ‘fathers and daughters’ activity. The image has two – if not several – meanings and is misleading. The image is highly open to misinterpretation and is harmful to the person of plaintiffs 7 and 11a, as well as plaintiff 11b.”
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