◎ Cancellation of SISYU’s “Shungu Higa” Exhibition ◎

We would like to sincerely apologize to everyone who was looking forward to SISYU’s “Shungu Higa Exhibition,” which was scheduled to be held, for the cancellation.

Caught between the power of art and the social norms that have existed since the Meiji era, the organizers and we at SISYU Atelier have worked sincerely to make this a reality, but we were unable to turn our dreams into reality.

“Is it obscene or art? ”

SISYU tackled the theme of “shunga” by
My wish was for our generation to put an end to the fruitless debate over whether it is obscene or art, which has been going on for a long time in Japan.

Article 175 of the Penal Code – This old law, enacted 140 years ago based on Meiji era morals, still casts a shadow over contemporary artistic expression. We would like to reconsider the shackles of these old values ​​and create a free and healthy creative environment for the next generation.

With that ambition in mind,
We dared to venture into the risky realm of “Shunga” and took on the challenge from a new perspective, resulting in “Shungu Higa” that reconstructs the outlines, misprints, and beauty of ukiyo-e prints.

There are no sexually explicit depictions in SISYU’s “Shunga” series. There is also no direct representation of genitals. The body in the painting is made up of hair and a mouth, and most of the rest of the body is depicted as a marble pattern or a solid beige surface that is close to white, an abstract expression that is difficult to discern at first glance.
The ink carvings hanging in front of it express the fluctuation in the beautiful curves of a woman’s face, toes, and contours, and are works of art that can only be appreciated when they overlap with the paintings.

Many of these works have already been exhibited both domestically and internationally, and they have been exhibited without age restrictions after prior consultation with the police.

About a month before this exhibition, we were asked to clearly indicate that the exhibition was 18+.

While understanding the organizer’s position and concerns, we sincerely made repeated proposals to allow the exhibition to be held without age restrictions.
Nevertheless, none of these ideas were accepted and the “Shungu Higa” exhibition was not realized.

I want to ask you a question quietly now.

Why is it that even works that do not actually contain obscene expressions?
Have they continued to be stigmatized as “18+”?

This question is not asked for the sake of conflict, but for the sake of cultural maturity.
I want the public space of an art festival to be an entity that opens the “door of expression” to society.
That feeling hasn’t changed even now.

If this discussion remains at the superficial level of whether shunga is obscene or not,
This means that we are still bound by the values of the Meiji era.

Art is not for fighting,
It sows the seeds of doubt about the common sense, concepts, and constraints imprinted on people.

Although it is sometimes painful,
Expand your thinking and bring new perspectives that go beyond common sense.
That moment is the real pleasure of art.
I believe that this is the true meaning of the existence of art festivals.

Wishing for cultural maturity,
The next time we have the opportunity to present the “Harumiya Higa Exhibition”,
To be the “beginning of a dialogue” that will lead to the future of art,
We will continue to do our best.
We would be grateful if we could receive your kind understanding in the future.

We sincerely apologize for this cancellation.

SISYU Atelier