October 23, 19:54 when I purchased a girl statue
One of the many protests at Aichi International Art Festival “Aichi Triennale”, “Girl Statue” symbolizes comfort women. I was wondering what happened when the art festival ended, but a Spanish businessman purchased it. I heard the story.
This person is Tacho Bennett, who runs a video-related company in Barcelona, Spain. The interview was conducted by international call. It wasn't just an interest, but I wanted to know why I bought the girl. Then Bennett began to speak as if he had questioned such a question.
“I understand that the comfort women behind the image of the girl is a very sensitive issue between Japan and Korea for the past 60 years. It ’s hurting. ”
With this introduction, he explained why he was interested in the problem that occurred in remote Japan.
“As this happened in Japan, there are more and more cases around the world where works are being removed or exhibitions stopped. I have a strong sense of crisis. I don't think I can tolerate hurting or disgusting because censorship is actually done not only by the government but also by social groups who feel that their work is hurting their feelings and beliefs. This is something that shouldn't happen, but it happens often. "
Bennett was originally a journalist. I was wondering where the problem consciousness came from, and when I listened to it further, I found out that his hometown was in the state of Catalonia in northeastern Spain.
Speaking of Catalunya, the independence movement from Spain continues, and the independence leaders were sentenced to prison sentences the other day.
“There has been a political problem between Spain and Catalonia for a very long time. I think the judgment is unfair and unfair and does not comply with the law. I understand. "
Bennet himself purchased a work by a Spanish writer called “Political Prisoners of Modern Spain” last year.
This work was in Catalonia, and the theme was those who were sentenced to prison sentences for being involved in the independence movement from Spain. It was scheduled to be exhibited at the art festival in Madrid in February last year, but it became a big dispute in Spain and eventually the secretariat was removed before the opening.
According to Bennett, such problems concerning freedom of expression are occurring all over the world.
Because there is a strong sense of crisis, it seems that not only this girl image but also works that have been removed or canceled for political and religious reasons all over the world.
The number is already over 60 from France, England, Russia, Colombia and so on. It is said that it will open an art museum displaying these works near Barcelona by next year.
At the end of the interview, Bennett concluded with these words:
“I think knowing my collection will give me the power to think more seriously about this issue. Freedom of expression is threatened all over the world, but freedom of expression and the creation of artists No one has the right to limit the freedom to do so, the freedom of society to access the creations of artists. ''