Holy crap. Ok, I’m going to do my best to relay this information, but wowzah… I’m not sure I fit the bill. Here are the nuggets of information that I’m trying to piece together as I type this:
1. Three artists from Colchester, Dedham, and Mersea (in the U.K.) were chosen to create art for a number of public toilets in the Colchester area – the project is called ‘Creative Conveniences’.
2. The cabinets relate to all aspects of life in Colchester, and the objects themselves have an emotional resonance with the people that used them. They are meant to create a sense of time passing, as they move from usefulness to castoff.
3. These references are not necessarily overt, and a single object may sometimes embody several ideas. For example, the lead toy soldier references the lead tokens found locally by treasure hunters, Colchester’s military history, childhood, and the passing of time in that it is a now outdated toy.
4. The final deciding factor in the decisions regarding content of cabinets is ultimately the sense of aesthetic, because at last— they need to be interesting and attractive to the public for whom they are ultimately intended.
That? That’s’ what I get. What I don’t quite get is why restrooms were chosen as the venue to make this statement. Maybe b/c of the foot (err, butt) traffic?
Regardless, I think it’s FASCINATING, and these pictures have been calling my name for the past 24 hours. And now you know how I spent my Thursday night— looking at urinals.
I don’t know what it is about boxes, but I am a sucker for them. Joseph Cornell, sure, but put any little thing in a box and I love it so much more.
So small and intricate…great post and great work!
Ahhh, SO agreed!!! :)
Oh wow they’re amazing and I live not very far from colchester, must find out more about it!
What an interesting project. I dont get the thing about the toilets either. I’d like to hear what the artists say about that.
On the other hand, the pictures of the boxes are amazing. So many things to look at, so many thoughts springing to mind.
BTW, Congratulations! You are featured as Blog of the Week at Decor8. You deserve it!
Interesting…. really pretty, aren’t they? I’m going to send this link to one of my friends who actually lives in Colchester and see if she has heard of this …
Wow, those are lovely. It does seem almost a waste to put them in a bathroom, though, doesn’t it?
Just proves the theory that beauty is everywhere. Thanks for sharing the details on this project!
Awww, thank you everyone– I’m so with you! And Christine and Mithi— DO find out more and report back!!! :)
Love to you all this weekend.