Project Description:

A generic plastic sign that reads ‘Public Bathroom’ will be placed on the stall door. Once inside, bathroom go-ers will be confronted with walls covered in broken cameras, all pointed inward at them.

Some cameras will have colored wires emerging from the lenses, while others will be rigged with soft lights that turn on and off, mimicking camera flashes without triggering those with photosensitive epilepsy. Additionally, an abstract soundtrack constructed from camera shutter sounds will loop on a hidden speaker.

Project Goals:

‘Public Bathroom’ invites exploration of our modern relationship with privacy, where even the most private places have become public. Bathrooms are one of our last strongholds of privacy and, therefore, a potent place to contemplate privacy violations. Bathroom privacy has already been attacked in recent years with bathroom bills enacted in 13 states in the U.S.

I imagine that some participants might avoid this stall altogether and choose another. To me, this is a completely valid way to interact with the installation. We should be repulsed by situations that force us to give up our privacy.

Other participants will actively take part in the piece, even taking selfies and sharing them online. This act, although truly harmless in this situation, reflects our complacency and willingness to surrender our privacy in our day-to-day lives.

What makes this project a fit for cannonball arts?:

‘Public Bathroom’ is a bold and creative way to spark introspection and conversation about a current societal issue—one that is ever-expanding with the proliferation of technology, data, and AI in our lives. The work is provocative and potentially controversial, aligning with Cannonball Arts’ commitment to showcasing work that other institutions won’t.

If the committee is interested in this submission but has concerns, I’m happy to make adjustments to address them. Thank you for your consideration :)