Diesen und frühere Clips von Petite Meller hat übrigens ein ungewöhnliches Gespann produziert, das laut IMVDb sonst bislang nicht in dieser Richtung gearbeitet hat: Der 71-jährige A. T. Mann, Astrologe, Autor, Architekt und Designer, und die deutlich jüngere Fotografin Napoleon (sic) Habeica.
Es gibt natürlich eine Diskussion um den „Baby Love“-Clip. Weiße Künstlerin, schwarze Tänzerinnen und Tänzer, da geht es schnell ins Grundsätzliche. In den YT-Kommentaren antwortet A. T. Mann einem Kritiker:
Alex Simpson: „It is my observation that this video tokenizes and fetishizes culturally indigenous aspects of people displayed in the video for aesthetic purposes while simultaneously emphasizing the sociopolitical hierarchy and economic eminence of Western culture over African culture. In other words, it objectifies and appropriates African culture as a fashion accoutrement. Many Africans subsist off less than the equivalent of one U.S. dollar per day, yet artists consider it appropriate to capitalize monetarily and accrue notoriety via utilitarian access of Africans as trendy style accessories. The effects of poverty, such as unsanitary living conditions, malnutrition and disease are very real. Yet these effects of poverty were quite glossed over in this video, even completely unacknowleged. Overall, the video illustrated a portrait of a quirky, fashionable model who visited an impoverished geographical area, and then was able to go back home without having to endure the conditions many Africans experience. It was a false, kitschy and veneered portrayal of romanticized African culture, and of imperialist remnants. The video revolved around Petite, while the African people were simply stage props. The lack of awareness this artist seems to have of her idealized image of a culture versus the reality it embodies is also reflective of oblivious Western nations that are not forced to question their actions. In conclusion, the action of ignoring poverty is irresponsible and morally intolerable. While this video seems alluring, it only offers a skewed portrayal of reality.“
Asaf T. Mann: „I got to say this loud n proud..Mr. Simpson you got it all twisted..on the absolute CONTRARY, the idea of the video was not to exemplify Africa as it is always treated, as it is always portrayed – as a poor violent helpless being set in its own turmoil with the need of crutches..NO!..we wanted to look into the future, together with those kids, specifically the girls – to give them a normal UNBIASED character with real lives and real broken hearts and real lovestories and real dance – just like anywhere else … and to instigate the idea of GIRLPOWER in a place like Africa especially after last year’s horrific events.. the idea was to portray it anew, outa that binding box that YOU describe above…and the thing is – the people and the kids we met were just groovy kids with real lives and real normal broken hearts and real love stories, we met them dude – at EYELEVEL! and it was a blast!!!“
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