Visual and sound artist, Louise Mackenzie explores our material relationship to the environment and for the Art Hostel, she is researching how we can contribute to the circular (bio) economy through our relationship with human waste for an installation in our toilet facilities. Louise will be interviewing members of the East Street Arts Team as well as local experts on the subject for a sound installation and she would like your help to collect visual material for the project.
Taking the idea of the toilet as a location for self-expression, Louise wants to collect your contributions to the discussion – in written or visual form – which will be incorporated into the design of the facilities, like graffiti on a toilet wall. Working on the basis of the anonymous toilet scribbler, she’d like you to share your stories, frustrations, musings or even make a political statement for others to read whilst using the conveniences. Maybe you have a story about using or needing the toilet that you are willing to share: What’s the worst/fanciest toilet you’ve ever used? Do you have a recurring toilet themed dream?
What’s your favourite toilet related artwork? Have you had a traumatic roadside experience or perhaps in another country? Maybe you have great ideas for the future of the humble loo: Would your ideal toilet wash your bum whilst playing your favourite podcast? Or do you prefer a hole in the ground on a remote camping trip? How do you think we should dispose of household and human waste? Do you have or have you used a composting toilet? Maybe you have questions you want answered: Why is talking about toilets (and what goes into them) so difficult? Why are there no good public toilets anymore? Where does all the crap go? Where do the homeless go to the loo? Is a composting toilet a good idea for the Art Hostel?
Please send in your scribblings to us at East Street Arts. You can send by post if you wish to remain anonymous or you can specify that you want your contribution to remain anonymous if you can bear to email us at hannah.platt@esamail.org.uk.
Please send any contributions to the following-
East Street Arts FAO Hannah Platt
Patrick Studios
St Marys Lane
Mabgate
Leeds
LS9 7EH