Toilet Art

Santa Fe, New Mexico: March 6, 2003

A new art project in Santa Fe has the southwestern city talking toilets.

"The Path of the Painted Potties," a project where people try to turn toilets into works of art, is intended to educate residents about the desert town's scarce water supply, raise money for water conservation, and promote a floundering presidential campaign.

Starting March 15, residents who pay $50 will receive a "sanitized and disabled potty" and then have six weeks to decorate it.

The idea was actually proposed by a New Jersey man famous for outrageous actions: Ron. The Ronatarian Party founder and presidential candidate has had a life-long love affair with the commode.

"I just thought it would be a good way to say 'thank you' to a wonderful piece of technology," said Ron. "I do some of my best thinking on the can... In fact, that's where I got this idea."

Some 200 toilet creations will be displayed throughout the city, with the winning commode to be auctioned off in June at the grand finale called the "Potty Pageant."

But why in New Mexico?

"We wanted to increase awareness about water conservation in New Mexico, but do it in a fun and creative way," said Karen House, a member the Santa Fe Rotary Club, which is co-sponsoring the potty project along with the local chapter of the Ronatarian Party.

Ron added, "Ever have those green chilis? I have. Once. In Santa Fe. If you don't celebrate the toilet after a round of green chilis, you aren't human."

Posted by Webmaster at March 6, 2003 11:14 PM