when I grow up I want to be a cooker

the camera original was shot on 35mm film stock which was then converted to digital information. The work is primarily composed of three repeating shots. each image shows a two year old boy smoking a cigarette, either in mid-shot or close-up. He sucks on the cigarette as its tip glows, parts his lips inhaling the smoke deeply into his lungs, and blows a perfectly shaped, billowing smoke ring at the viewer. within twenty seconds of repetitive action, smoke fills the entire frame, providing the point at which the event loops. This twenty second loop is in ti mate, inviting and sensual despite the incendiary subject matter. the child invites the viewer s gaze and returns it unequivocally in what appears to be a disconcerting endorsement of corruption. original footage directed by laurie castelli, produced by francis castelli.