Love Doll Fertility Dream
At the 64th graduation exhibition of Tokyo University of the Arts, the university exhibited the works of recent graduates. One of the most notable works, "Love Doll's Fertility Dream," was a photo shoot in which the creator transformed a "sex doll" to simulate a pregnancy.
Sex dolls, known as "Love Dolls" in Japan, are near-adult-sized humanoid dolls made of silicone or TPE. The dolls are life-like in appearance, touch and construction, and can be used for photography or more directly - desire. But a doll is still a doll, neither conscious nor "pregnant", but if it did become pregnant, what would it look like? Curious about this, Tokyo University of the Arts doctoral student Mika Sugan thought of modifying the doll and taking a series of photos of it.Japan's "with news" interviewed Mika Sugan to learn more about her creative process and concept of her work.
"What was the opportunity to create "The Forever Love"?" The journalist asked "A few years ago, when I was 24 or 25 years old, all my friends and women around me started to get married and have children, and there was a lot of talk about "having a family by the age of 30". I had been thinking about having children, but I was hesitant to do so because I wanted to focus on my studies. I think that pregnancy is a major life event, so I thought of creating this theme.
Why Did I Want To Use Sex Dolls As An Expression?
"I attended an exhibition of sex dolls called "Artificial Girl Expo" and have been interested in these dolls ever since. It wasn't until the year before last that I suddenly thought: What would happen if a sex doll equipped with AI really got pregnant? Therefore, the two were linked. The height and shoulder width of the doll are similar to mine, so it's like a replica."
What Do People Who Have Seen This Work Think?
"I've heard people say 'that's really vulgar! Indeed, there has always been a debate about "art or vulgarity" in body art, and the origin of sex dolls is even more so. I created this work in the hope of bringing out the "future of the separation of women and reproduction" and "what is life, what is man?" Not to bring out other themes. However, I have never agreed that "vulgarity is not art" or "it is not vulgar because it is art", because it is very difficult to define, so I guess it is just a matter of looking at each flower in its own way.
What Do You Mean By "a Future In Which Women Are Separated From Reproduction"? Can You Be More Specific?
"Today technology is researching and developing artificial wombs, and artificial intelligence is also developing rapidly. When the AI female robot said that 'her' dream is to get married and have children by the age of 30 and build a happy family, the whole audience burst out laughing, but I couldn't laugh. Although I am not going to criticize anything, but this development will certainly impact the human ethical relationship. Suppose someday when artificial intelligence can really replace human pregnancy and childbirth, what exactly will become of it? Sex dolls are the closest thing to human dolls at the moment, and even women agree that it would be nice if they could become as beautiful as 'them'. So I want to express this message in an artistic way. "
What Do You Think Of The Criticism That "Sex Dolls Are a Symbol Of The Objectification Of Women"?
"I think it's the opposite. Anyone who has bought a sex doll knows that it's not easy to 'keep' a sex doll. You have to be careful not to break it with hard objects, and you can't let the doll wear clothes that are too cheap and easily lose color, so taking care of a sex doll can be even harder than a real person. And not everyone will really "sex" and buy sex dolls, some people instead because of the long time together, the more you know how to cherish not want to break or get dirty. In fact, just check the parts and joints of the doll material, you will know how the doll is usually treated. Some people who no longer need the doll, will try to put back on the second-hand market consignment, hoping that there are people who want to 'adopt'. "
Woman Equals Childbirth Machine?
In recent years, the topic of female fertility in Asia has received a lot of attention, and does not seem to be as hotly debated in Europe and the United States, which are relatively open-minded. With the progress of society and the improvement of living standards, to a certain extent, also affects the concept of fertility in Asia. To have children or not to have children should become a choice that belongs to the individual herself, especially, a woman who can have the right to choose to be a mother or never to be one. Society, parents, and even partners cannot take away this right with stigma, blackmail with love, and violence, forcing a life value on childbearing. Anyone should have the right to decide for themselves what they want to do with their life, and every way of life deserves to be respected.
