Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2013

“H,” in Israeli artist Gil Yefman’s locution, stands for “echi” (“sex” in Japanese) and “hentai” (“pervert” in Japanese)—but also for “holocaust.” The title pertains to a mixed media installation—replete with a sex doll—that recreates a sex-slave’s residence, inspired by research Yefman conducted on “Block 24,” an isolated unit in the Nazi’s Auschwitz concentration camp. “Block 24” was in fact a brothel in Auschwitz created to serve camp officials to relief them from the stress of war, and also to reward “industrious” workers. The Japanese references are to Japan’s own World War II sex slaves.

The Container, until Oct 28, free. Open Mon–Fri 11am-9pm, Sat–Sun & hols 10am-8pm, closed Tue. Hills Daikanyama, 1-8-30 Kamimeguro. Nearest stn: Nakameguro. www.the-container.com