NZ Visual Diary - entry 428
Matakana public toilet
The public toilet as inspiration for public art is a Kiwi thing. The most famous example is that of the Hundertwasser public toilet in the North Island town of Kawakawa. Kiwis on holiday and tourists alike, who head for the Northland region of New Zealand, alter their travel plans in order to see Hundertwasser’s art installation wonder - a composite of recycled bricks, spent glass bottles and ceramic tiles painted in Hunndertwasser’s unique style. The project celebrates an artist’s gratitude for the Northland community that welcomed the Austrian expatriate and later expressed — with the construction of an eponymously named art centre — its adulation for his signature portfolio of visionary proportions.
The focus of today’s entry is another North Island artistic treasure.
In the North Auckland village of Matakana, local artist Stephan de Haan won a design competition (circa 2002) for the construction of a public toilet. Taking inspiration from the boat construction tradition of the area, de Haan’s design echoes the shape and materiality of twin boat hulls. With curvaceous elegance, a pair of cement walls form the entrance way. And, as its crowning design achievement, a pair of cement facial profiles appoint the entrance way.
In the brief time that I studied from across the street the marvelous homage to public art, the toilet was more photographed than utilised.
My Russian tutor told me that when she came to NZ she thought she had come to the public toilet capital of the world! She said that there would be plenty of places tourists might enjoy visiting in Russia (this was few years ago!) but with no toilets they wouldn't come.