File under photography/women's studies/full bladders
July 1, 2006 7:52 AM   Subscribe

Good bathroom reading. A book of photos has been published. The theme of the photos is public urination. Apparently, this is art, but not in China. More dribbles here and here. Oh, and the book also has an interview with good ol' Annie Sprinkle.
posted by scratch (18 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
No, this isn't a self-link. I mostly pee in the bathroom, myself.
posted by scratch at 7:55 AM on July 1, 2006


This brings us to the question of : What is art.
posted by bim at 7:57 AM on July 1, 2006


This is cool, but re: the art of public urination, nothing beats CatDog's Quest for the Golden Hydrant. It's so subtle. And you can tell it's the dog.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 8:12 AM on July 1, 2006


At what point is it just adolescent humor? I think it's when the model is unwilling to show their face in the pictures.
posted by 517 at 9:01 AM on July 1, 2006


It seems like the theme of the photos is public urination by women, which is mildly different than just public urination. Anytime you restrict the subject to one gender, the gender of the subject becomes an issue. In this case, an exceptionally creepy one.
posted by jonson at 10:11 AM on July 1, 2006


It's one female photographer who has taken pictures while peeing outdoors or in 'public' spaces - not women peeing 'in public' surrounded by onlookers - she appears to be alone in most of these photos.
posted by unmake at 10:44 AM on July 1, 2006


At what point is it just adolescent humor? I think it's when the model is unwilling to show their face in the pictures.


Yet the identity of the model is known, so is it really anonymous even if the face isn't shown?
posted by giantfist at 10:45 AM on July 1, 2006


I pick my nose sometimes. I should publish a book about it...
posted by c13 at 11:04 AM on July 1, 2006


Public urination is generally an exclusively male occupation,
except for portrayals of urination in pornography. Female
public urination that is not performed exclusively for the
titillation of a male audience is rare indeed.

The most frequent comment that I hear from women when I
head for the bushes is "I wish I could do that." I could go on
and on about the virtues of non-toilet urination, not limited
to reduced water use of toilets, reduced cleaning loads of
toilets, palpable relief, and opportunities for scenic views and
contemplation.

Doesn't seem creepy to me, mine or hers.
posted by the Real Dan at 11:04 AM on July 1, 2006


If she were visibly Japanese and wearing a two sizes too small maid outfit I would be unmoved, unless she were also ecstatically adding to the desecration of the Cape Croker burial grounds by defecating on them. I find her work indulgent and banal.
posted by econous at 12:32 PM on July 1, 2006


well that was gross. Also, NSFW warning, plz.
posted by puke & cry at 12:48 PM on July 1, 2006 [1 favorite]


Looks like wide angle porn to me.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 12:49 PM on July 1, 2006


Shades of 15 Peter 20 from Nathan Barley.
posted by Sticherbeast at 1:31 PM on July 1, 2006


The world does not appreciate this kind of public filth. I say that as a person living in a downtown core with an alleyway entrance to her apartment building, a space which many an annoying young man has opted to use as a public toilet on a balmy Friday night. Saying this kind of activity is environmentally conscious is seriously reaching.
posted by Hildegarde at 1:59 PM on July 1, 2006


Seriously, how can you not appreciate the one where she's on a roof staring out into to city. It doesn't have the same confrontational effect as a picture of a guy doing it, but its just as refreshingly defiant.
posted by Pacheco at 5:08 PM on July 1, 2006


Piss pics.
posted by disgruntled at 8:01 PM on July 1, 2006


Probably good to remember that none of us (as far as I can tell from these comments) have seen the book, just tiny jpeg excerpts.

Also, Annie Sprinkle has, in the past, changed my thinking on issues of self-expression. She's worth reading.

Anytime you restrict the subject to one gender, the gender of the subject becomes an issue. In this case, an exceptionally creepy one.
posted by jonson at 10:11 AM PST on July 1


Given that these are self-portraits, I'm actually kind of creeped out that you would have such a reaction. Did you know that women pee?

The world does not appreciate this kind of public filth.
posted by Hildegarde at 1:59 PM PST on July 1


The photos have nothing to do with a guy pissing in your doorway.

Seriously, how can you not appreciate the one where she's on a roof staring out into to city.
posted by Pacheco at 5:08 PM PST on July 1


That one's great. So's the knee-deep in the ocean shot, and the toilet on the street. The ocean, in particular, is pretty enough as a photographic composition to make me want to buy the book (not that I can afford it).

I'm not saying they're all excellent photographs or works of art, but some of the reactions here seem a little overwrought.
posted by medialyte at 9:57 PM on July 1, 2006


Ugh, who reads in the bathroom?
posted by wfc123 at 7:55 AM on July 3, 2006


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