Public Bathroom Made Of 1-Way Mirrors

Artist Monica Bonvicini created this usable public toilet made of one-way mirrored glass. It allows a user to do the doo while watching the world pass them by. The art installation, which appeared in London, is called Don’t Miss a Sec. Because apparently even taking a dump shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying a little people-watching. MULTITASKING!

That’s cool, I guess, but you should see my art installation called Please Take a Sec and Go to the Damn Bathroom in a Private Place With Zero-Way Mirrors. It’s revolutionary. You go into a bathroom, close the door, and nobody can see anybody. Art critics are gonna LOVE it.

A Public Toilet Made of One-Way Mirrors

Bonvicini’s Don’t Miss a Sec made its London debut in December 2003, near Tate Britain and the construction site for the Chelsea College of Art and Design. From the outside, the installation looked like a big mirrored box reflecting the surrounding city. Step inside, however, and the walls became windows offering a view of the people walking past.

And yes, there was an actual working toilet inside. Not some fake art-gallery toilet you’re forbidden to touch, either. The installation featured a stainless-steel toilet and sink unit sourced from a prison equipment supplier. Because nothing says luxury bathroom experience quite like prison plumbing inside a mirrored cube.

Why Would Anyone Build a See-Through Bathroom?

Believe it or not, Bonvicini had an actual artistic reason for creating this thing. She got the idea after observing people at art exhibition openings who seemed unwilling to miss a second of the social action. You know, the gossip, the networking, the free drinks, and all that important art-world business.

Her solution? Build a bathroom where people could answer nature’s call without missing a single moment of what was happening outside. Which is pretty clever, if your biggest fear in life is somebody saying something interesting while you’re on the toilet.

The installation also played with ideas about privacy and public space. The people outside could see their reflections, while the person inside could watch them go about their business. Or, uh, watch them while doing their own business. You get the idea.

Would You Actually Use a Mirrored Public Toilet?

Now here’s where things get a little uncomfortable. The mirrored glass was designed to conceal whoever was sitting inside, but the effect depended on lighting conditions. Contemporary reporting even raised concerns that nighttime headlights or other outside illumination could compromise the illusion of privacy.

OH GOOD. So you’re sitting there hoping nobody can see you while wondering whether the entire street is getting an unexpected bathroom performance. Sounds relaxing! Maybe throw in some circus music and a spotlight while we’re at it.

The London installation was temporary, and reports from 2006 indicated it was no longer in service. So don’t go wandering around Tate Britain looking for a magical mirrored toilet. This was an unusual chapter in public art history, not a permanent upgrade to London’s bathroom facilities.

The last thing I need when I’m in public is to know there’s some pervo taking a crapola just inside that big mirrored box over there. The second-to-last thing I need when I’m in public is to be able to hear the tooty sounds of a stranger coming from that big mirrored box over there.

Call me sensitive, but NUH UH. I’m sticking with regular bathrooms. Four solid walls, a locking door, and absolutely ZERO chance of accidentally making eye contact with a stranger while I’m on the porcelain throne. Now THAT’S a work of art.