2015年CRI Beijing Exhibition Reflects on War-time Sexual Crime

Beijing Exhibition Reflects on War-time Sexual Crime

The Intimate Transgressions¹ exhibition in the 798 Art District showcases the art works of 35 artists from different countries.

Curator of the exhibition, Irish artist Fion Gunn is a victim of sexual violence herself. She points out the importance of this show.

"What we did not want to do, was to make images so horrible, people will be afraid and not want to look. It is important the people look and understand the complex legacy². It is about destruction, but also about the loss of beautiful things, that feeling of safety and security, the feelings of warmth between men and women. It is important to let people know, when these things occurs in times of war, everybody loses. Nobody wins, everybody loses in this case."

One of the darkest sexual war crimes committed during the Second World War was the sexual slavery organized by the Japanese imperial army. It's reported to have victimized countless³ Asian women and girls.

Post-80 Japanese artist Atsuko Nakamura says it is important for the younger generation to know exactly what happened back then.

"For this exhibition, I did a lot of research including the Japanese comfort women, during the WWII, what the Japanese did to those women, not only China, but also in other countries. It is quite tough to find information. I did a lot of research in Japan, but it is the history, no one can change it anymore. But the important thing is we need to know what happened at that time. As a Japanese, I think I have a responsibility to know what happened at that time.”

Nakamura, with her work 'Border of Consciousness and Unconscious', conjures⁴ up an intense feeling of menace and encroaching threat in her chilling series of drawings.

British Artist Michael Lisle-Taylor was a serviceman in the air force for 12 years. With his work 'Bedlam⁵' and 'Crossing the Line', he is trying to evoke⁶ the sad remnants of tragedy on a vast scale.

"I think the most important thing is to never underestimate the consequences of your action and to question the morality of certain actions."

Exhibition organizer, Sam Chen says it is critical for young people to never forget that part of history.

"Most people think comfort women or World War Two are behind them. They do not really think they can relate to it. Most of the time, they are not interested in it. We use art to make them come in and enjoy the art, so they can also get some knowledge. It is a very good way to reach out for young people."

The Intimate Transgressions was exhibited in New York earlier this year. The exhibition will last until Nov 1st before heading to Guangzhou and several other Chinese cities.

CRI's Liu Xiangwei reporting.

1 transgressions   

n.违反，违法，罪过( transgression的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Many marine transgressions occur across coastal plains. 许多海运是横越滨海平原。 来自辞典例句
• For I know my transgressions, and my sin always before me. 因为我知道我的过犯，我的罪常在我面前。 来自互联网

2 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。

3 countless   

adj.无数的，多得不计其数的

参考例句：

• In the war countless innocent people lost their lives.在这场战争中无数无辜的人丧失了性命。
• I've told you countless times.我已经告诉你无数遍了。

4 conjures   

用魔术变出( conjure的第三人称单数 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现

参考例句：

• The word 'birthday' conjures up images of presents and parties. “生日”这个词使人想起礼物和聚会的情景。
• The name Sahara conjures up images of a desert of aridity. "撒哈拉"这个名字使人想起干旱的沙漠情景。

5 bedlam   

n.混乱，骚乱；疯人院

参考例句：

• He is causing bedlam at the hotel.他正搅得旅馆鸡犬不宁。
• When the teacher was called away the classroom was a regular bedlam.当老师被叫走的时候，教室便喧闹不堪。

6 evoke   

vt.唤起，引起，使人想起

参考例句：

• These images are likely to evoke a strong response in the viewer.这些图像可能会在观众中产生强烈反响。
• Her only resource was the sympathy she could evoke.她以凭借的唯一力量就是她能从人们心底里激起的同情。