Migrant Chic Author: 'Series Intended to Make People Think About the Issue'

Norbert Baksa, a Hungarian photographer who raised a furor on social media over a fashion shoot inspired by refugees making their arduous trek to Europe, told Sputnik that his intent was to make people think about the duality of the issue, and to prevent them from jumping to conclusions prematurely.

The series of photos, published late last month and later taken down from the photographer's website, were severely criticized by many social media users, who accused Baksa of glamorizing the refugees' plight.

In an email interview with Sputnik, Baksa explained that the 'Der Migrant' shoot was a spontaneous initiative, adding that he does not normally "deal with political subjects." 

According to the photographer, the series, which he did not plan to exhibit anywhere, "was merely intended to trigger people to think about the duality of the issue; it is in no way meant to take a stand on one or the other side." The artist emphasized that he does "not pretend to know the solution to the issue either."

"I really hoped people would not see the series as exploitation, but understand our message. We made [the series] so that people would not think prematurely with quick judgments. Now I am the subject of quick judgment," Baksa noted.