OT: Art's glass toilet tests courage
edonline
Last Updated: Wednesday, 3 December, 2003, 14:02 GMT
Art's glass toilet tests courage
An artist has created a usable public toilet in a glass cube to challenge
the curiosity - and bravery - of people passing London's Tate Britain
gallery.
Monica Bonvicini said visitors would have to "defy their own embarrassment"
to use the minimalist cubicle, made from one-way mirrored glass.
It is impossible to see into the toilet, which will be free to use, but the
person inside can see passers-by.
The work, called Don't Miss A Sec, uses a prison loo as a historical
reference.
The site - on the old parade ground at the former Royal Army Medical
College - once housed Millbank Penitentiary, where prisoners were held
before being transported to Australia.
A spokeswoman for the artist said: "It will arouse curiosity because people
can come and just use it, although there is a question of whether people
will feel comfortable doing so.
"They may be wary of desecrating a work of art or may be uneasy that because
they can see out, other people can see in.
"There could be this feeling that there is some form of switch to change it
and let people see in, but of course there isn't."
Ms Bonvicini, born in Italy but based in Los Angeles, is known for using her
work to make people question their environment.
The installation will open for two hours from 1800 GMT each week day, from
1400 to 1800 GMT on Saturdays and 1000 to 1800 GMT on Sundays.
Ms Bonvicini is not alone in using a toilet to bring art to the public.
In October, two artists opened The Toilet Gallery - a converted public loo
in Kingston-upon-Thames, south-west London, showcasing young artists from
across Britain.
Big J
news:NqqdnccCQJh...@giganews.com:
I'm thinking some pervy wanker guy will enjoy this WAY too much.
Big J
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DustBunny
"Big J" <bi...@myrealbox.com> wrote in message
news:Xns944653D0DE349...@216.65.3.131...
Chuck Berry's already booked a flight to London.
--
Evelyn
Todays' motivational slogan: Every journey begins with a reason to flee
the jurisdiction.