From the dirtiest corners of our society, those small, unspeakable spaces behind closed doors, comes a riveting collection of American expressiveness. There is something about public bathroom stalls that inspires art, philosophy and overall bad manners. Doug Rice captures this effect in his new book, From the Stall.
“From the Stall is a new bathroom reading/coffee table book comprised of photos of public bathroom stall graffiti taken mainly from university campuses and bars,” Rice said in his preface to the book. This 137-page picture book included photos from public bathrooms in Michigan State University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), among others. According to one graffiti artist, “…the desire to express one’s self on stall walls [is] an American tradition.”
The graffiti photos include the classic ‘naked lady drawing’ which seems to cross cultural and social boundaries. From the more crude classics, such as the stick figures engaging in sodomy, purportedly etched by early cavemen, to the more modern art pieces making reference to the current U.S. President, each drawing pays homage to the human anatomy. As Rice so eloquently put it, “It never gets old.” Another common denominator between Ivy-league campuses and dive bars nationwide is the general “for a good time, call…” invitations. Additionally, Toby Keith is apparently popular among restroom occupants in Michigan.
As chronicled in From the Stall, bathroom stall graffiti is used to reach large audiences and express a broad range of ideas. One writer used it as a recruiting tool: “If you can pee over this line the fire department needs you.” Another writer simply wanted to confirm his attendance, “Ringo was here.” Others found serenity in the dingy stalls and decided to confess, “I stink.” More creatively constructed taggings include the philosophical “I poop, there for I am.” [sic]
One artist pondered, “I can’t help but wonder if all the wisdom of the world is etched on some bathroom stall.” After thumbing through From the Stall, I must admit, I doubt it. But Rice does a good job of displaying the bawdy side of American expressionism. Some readers may laugh. Some readers may reach for the pink bismuth. But all readers should be thankful if they aren’t browsing this book in the same stinky stalls from where the pictures came.
Fans can submit pictures of their own bathroom stall graffiti and browse other unpublished pictures at www.fromthestall.com.