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International artists and global citizens express their solidarity in a protest against the removal of “Statue of a Girl of Peace” from the Aichi Triennale 2019 by posting photos of themselves on social media posing in the same position as the comfort woman depicted by the statute. The photos are being posted under the hashtag #aichitriennale.

Seventy-two artists from around the world taking part in the Aichi Triennale 2019, a major international art event in Japan, issued an artists’ statement on the morning of Aug. 6 protesting and denouncing the closure of the venue for “After ‘Freedom of Expression?,’” a feature exhibition featuring a statue of a young girl symbolizing a comfort woman.

In a message titled “Statement by the Artists of Aichi Triennale 2019 on the Closure of “After ‘Freedom of Expression?’” the artists said, “[W]e have grave concerns about the occurrence of political intervention into the Triennale, as well as threats of violence against the exhibition and those involved in it.”

“It is a fact that the exhibition received hundreds of intimidating phone calls after the opening of the Triennale, as well as a fax warning of an attack on the venue using gasoline and fire,” they continued, adding that they would “do everything in our power to resist such terroristic threats and intimidation.”

A statement released by 72 artists denouncing the closure of the venue featuring the comfort woman exhibit

The artists also addressed issues with the closure of an exhibition space that is “meant to be an open, public site.”

“[T]he closure of the exhibit [. . .] has robbed people of the opportunity to see the artworks and foreclosed any active discussion of them. Moreover, it has shut down the diversity of responses, ranging from feelings of anger to sorrow, that viewers might have had in front of the artworks,” they said.

“We strongly object to any violent intervention by politicians [. . . ] and the kinds of menacing acts and intimidation that drove the Triennale to close “After ‘Freedom of Expression’” as an emergency measure,” they added.

A list of the 72 artists who partook in the statement

The artists explained, “What we seek is a patient process for reaching deeper understanding.”

“We request the following: (1) the immediate restoration of the Aichi Triennale 2019’s autonomy from political pressure and intimidation; (2) the continuation of the exhibition under the assurance of safety for all its staff and visitors; and (3) the establishment of a platform for free and vigorous discussion that is open to all, including the participating artists,” they added.

“It is our conviction that the first principle of any creative endeavor is thinking about and coming up with new solutions together,” they said in closing.

In addition to participating South Korean artist Park Chan-kyong and Lim Minouk, the statement was also signed by Western contemporary artists such as Tania Bruguera and Dora Garcia and Japanese contemporary artists including Meiro Koizumi, Michiko Tusda, and Chim↑Pom.

By Noh Hyung-seok, staff reporter

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