Tokyo prosecutors seek fine for 'vagina art'

Prosecutors have asked a Tokyo court to fine "vagina artist" Megumi Igarashi for distributing 3D copies of her work.

Japanese feminist artist fined

Japanese artist Megumi Igarashi, who calls herself Rokude Nashiko, shows a small mascot shaped like a vagina "Manko-chan" at a news conference in Tokyo in 2014. Source: Getty Images

Japanese prosecutors have asked a court to fine painter-sculptor Megumi Igarashi, also known as the "vagina artist", $US6600 ($A9,320) for distributing obscene objects.

Igarashi, 43, is charged with distributing data through the internet to print 3D copies of her vagina in exchange for money in October 2013 and March 2014.

The Japanese artist was arrested in December 2014 for exhibiting sculptures of her genitalia at an art gallery in the Japanese capital.

During the first hearing of the trial, which began in April 2015, Igarashi, who works under the artistic name Rokudenashiko, or Absurd Girl, admitted her work uses female genitalia as its subject but that it is in no way obscene.

A university professor specialising in art history testified that Igarashi's works "do not appear to be obscene (materials) that cause sexual arousal".
In her final statement at the hearing, Igarashi asked for a fair trial, saying, "Having created works that defy the (existing) image associated with genitalia, I cannot agree with my arrest."

Her lawyer added that the distribution of the 3D data which would enable printing the art objects was a "part of her creative activities, with the aim that her supporters would use it to create new works".

The court is expected to deliver its verdict on May 9.

Igarashi's case prompted protests by cultural groups throughout the world, who called it a grave violation of the freedom of expression, while an online petition on Change.org drew thousands of signatures demanding her release and acquittal.

Distributing obscene material in Japan can bring a maximum sentence of two years in prison or a fine of up to $US20,900 ($A29,500).

 


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