“It may have been a shocking space”: Criticism floods in over “Okomori-kai” group exhibition on the Imperial Hotel grounds, with claims that “nude depictions of young girls are not art”; hotel representative says it “did not conform to a project that had received the necessary checks and approvals” (NEWSポストセブン)

The “Okikomori-kai” group exhibition, featuring approximately 30 artists, was held from 3 to 13 October at MEDEL GALLERY SHU inside the Imperial Hotel. Images from the exhibition were posted on X by the gallery's official account and attracted visitors' attention.

However, after the posts spread, numerous criticisms were received, including that “nude girls are not art” and that “genitals and nipples are completely visible,” raising concerns about the degree of exposure in the works at the venue. Some people also raised issues concerning the appropriateness of how the works were presented in context.

The hotel explained that it was basically not involved in the exhibition content itself and that the project was planned by the gallery, an external operator. At the same time, it acknowledged that information had not been sufficiently shared in advance and said it would strengthen the review process before future exhibitions were held.

Details of the subsequent developments and the circumstances surrounding the removals have not been disclosed. NEWSポストセブン is also interviewing the gallery and plans to publish a follow-up report.