3D printed vagina selfie

Japanese artist Megumi Igarashi (42) who makes objects shaped like her own vagina has been charged with distributing ‘obscene’ data.

Igarashi was first arrested in July for selling 3D printable data of her own genitals. Igarashi was accused of distribution of obscene material electronically – the design files are said to have been distributed in March to a 30-year-old man in Kagawa Prefecture who could produce a model of her genitals.

She was freed after several days following a legal appeal and after more than 21,000 people signed apetition demanding her release.

But she was arrested again this month, as she had reportedly offered to send the data of a kayak that’s based on her vagina to the biggest donors to a crowdfunding campaign that supported her project.

The present charges relate to three counts of distributing ‘obscene’ data:

1. She had uploaded the 3D scan of female genitals online and transmitted the URL of the website by e-mail;
2. She had sent CD-ROMs containing same data for a 3D printer.
3. She had exhibited a model in the shape of female genitalia.

“We don’t agree with the prosecutors’ contention at all.” Takeshi Sumi, one of Igarashi’s lawyers, told AFP Wednesday.

“We will continue pleading not guilty on behalf of Igarashi, who argues her works are not anything obscene,” Sumi said.

The Japanese court approved her detention, as prosecutors said they feared she would destroy evidence if released, according to Sumi.

“Japan’s multi-billion-dollar pornography industry is large and varied, but obscenity laws still ban pictures of actual genitalia, which normally appear pixellated or behind black spots,” notes AFP. “If convicted of distributing or possessing obscene materials for the purpose of selling, Igarashi could face up to two years in jail and/or a fine of as much as 2.5 million yen ($21,000).”

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