New scatalogical sculpture for the Thames riverside.
Welcome to London's latest ornamental sculpture: a collection of cast-bronze shitters.
Not only that, they are site-specific cast-bronze shitters. The lavatorial septet was recently installed on top of the "Isle of Effra", the new public platform covering the Vauxhall shaft of the Thames Tideway super-sewer. In other words, they're the crowning glory of Britain's biggest turd tunnel.
The bronze thrones were created by acclaimed artist Richard Wentworth. They're intended for use as seating; a place to admire the views up and down river. They also make a secondary nod to the local area, as the old Doulton ceramic factory is nearby on Lambeth riverside. Among its wares, the factory produced glazed stoneware pipes used in the sewer system. More likely, though, people will make a punning connection with WaterLOO, a little farther downriver.
Vauxhall has built up something of a reputation for al fresco toiletry. Anyone using the station can't fail to spot these 'Very Public Urinals'.
All images, except the last one, courtesy of Thames Tideway.
