Update: Thanks to our highly knowledgeable and thoughtful readers for bringing Guy Bourdin’s background to my attention. After taking time to learn more about Bourdin’s background, body of work, his aesthetic, and so forth, I have decided to abstain from reviewing the NARS x Guy Bourdin collaboration at this time and spend longer doing additional research. It’s important for each person to do their own research and inquiry into an issue, and I found the following links helpful:

Art is and always has been controversial, edgy, daring, and many great artists push boundaries and limits during their lifetimes. There seems to be no dispute that Bourdin was an important influence on fashion and photography, but it does not mean his images can be viewed in a vacuum. Imagery that glamorizes violence against women may be nothing new in fashion or art, but we need to understand how it impacts today’s culture and tomorrow’s generations.