After being “blindsided” by the controversy that the photos generated when they were first published, Mann and her husband spoke to a former member of the behavioral science unit at the F.B.I., who acknowledged that there were people who would be aroused by the photos but noted that some people will get aroused by anything. Mann revealed in 2015 that for six years her family dealt with a stalker who obsessed over her children and repeatedly sought information about them.
Mann does not appear to have commented on the latest controversy surrounding her work.
The Danbury Institute, “an association of churches, Christians, and organizations aligned to affirm and preserve God-given rights to life and liberty,” published an open letter on Dec. 28, calling for the removal of the photos from the exhibition.
“These images are presented under the guise of art, but in reality, they sexualize children and exploit their innocence,” said the letter. “This exhibit should be called what it is: child pornography.”
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According to The Express, several public officials, including Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare, Tarrant County Republican Party Chairman Bo French, and House District 91 State Rep.-elect David Lowe, condemned the display of Mann’s photographs. On March 6, Lowe filed House Bill 3958. If passed, the bill (which would take effect on Sept. 1) would penalize museums for up to $500,000 if they displayed “certain obscene or harmful material.”
Police reportedly seized four of Mann’s photographs, drawing criticism from civil liberty organizations. In addition to the ACLU of Texas, other groups defending Mann are the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and the National Coalition Against Censorship. These three groups sent a letter on Feb. 19 to Fort Worth Police Department Chief Neil Noakes calling on the department to end the investigation and return the photographs. The groups referred to the police investigation and the seizure of the photos as “unconstitutional.”
In the letter, the groups acknowledge that “Popsicle Drips” is “arguably the most controversial photograph of the series.” They argue that Mann’s work is protected under the First Amendment and that the photographs do not meet the legal definition of “obscene.” The letter also made a case for why the photos do not qualify as “child pornography” as defined by Texas and federal law.
In March, a Tarrant County grand jury gave a “no bill” decision on the case, and the case was closed.
In a statement on Facebook April 24, the ACLU of Texas briefly summarized recent events related to Mann’s “internationally celebrated collection of intimate photos portraying [Mann’s] rural family life.”
