Friday, April 27, 2007

Public Toilet


No, it's not a French public toilet - ours are much more sophisticated! - it's just a "private model" that I found right in the middle of the 15th arrondissement (rue Falguière). I thought I should have posted it after my April 24 post! BTW, if you're interested here are the photos I took at Chenonceau yesterday.
PS : those of you who want join me tonight for the mini PDP meeting should click here for the instructions.

48 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness where to start. Les vespasiennes, let's get it over with. UNbelievable! In the open, for all to see? Really? I'm speechless. Well, no i'm not because that just doesn't happen but. How horrid.

    You know, this one you photographed, Eric; you must have been giggling at the thought of keeping the toilet theme going (Clo will be horrified). Are you sure this isn't a public loo for ladies; French women just sit there while their men use the V? How strange it all is.

    The cubicle ones i have seen before. How many people use it, just one at a time, or do you all crowd around inside having a smoke break at the same time? I'm so curious now in the lavatorial habits of the French.

    if you look again at this pic, the toilet can become personified. The puppy is squatting (appropriately) and looking down. The thinner pipe is his mouth and actually, he's looking quite ... sad. Anyone? No? Just me then. I'm clearly toileted out.

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  2. oh and a big by the way; Chenonceau pics are fab. My favourite is the jeans one ... sigh.

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  3. Oh no, I think we are in for another round of toilet-talk! This looks like a dodgey neighborhood. Lynn, I tried, but I don't see the doggy, even when I make my eyes blurry.

    I love the photos at Chenonceau! I have never heard of the place before - all the photos are magnifique, but my favorite is the garden shot. Like Johnny always says, I'm going to have to add it to my list! But I will definitely not be adding Rue Falguiere to the list...

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  4. Another toilet? Oh, brother ... I don't know if I have any toilet humour left in me, but if you really insist...

    It was the cat's birthday. The dog said to the cat "Since it's your birthday, let me buy you a drink" (which, in dog language, means "have a drink from the toilet bowl, it's on the house!") The cat who didn't know any better looked into the toilet bowl and said "oh, look there is an olive in there! It must be a Martini!"

    (yeah, yeah, I know)

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  5. Why? Why? and Why? Have you not had enough bloody toilet speak. I mean what good is this damned toilet picture? You said you would post on PDP pictures fron Chenonceau, and instead you posted this. Well what are people going to think of the French?

    Lastly, what is it with you lying on the ground and taking pictures? Are you sleep deprived? I mean they are great pictures of Chenonceau, but you obviously were beat to have to take a picture from between someone's feet.

    I really liked what you did. Although the toilet thing was truly unnecessary. I am leaving now before Lynn, Michael, Olive, Monica anf of course Tomate begin having a day describing...whatever thoughts enter their minds about the picture.

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  6. Why? Why? and Why? Have you not had enough bloody toilet speak. I mean what good is this damned toilet picture? You said you would post on PDP pictures fron Chenonceau, and instead you posted this. Well what are people going to think of the French?

    Lastly, what is it with you lying on the ground and taking pictures? Are you sleep deprived? I mean they are great pictures of Chenonceau, but you obviously were beat to have to take a picture from between someone's feet.

    I really liked what you did. Although the toilet thing was truly unnecessary. I am leaving now before Lynn, Michael, Olive, Monica anf of course Tomate begin having a day describing...whatever thoughts enter their minds about the picture.

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  7. Clo, dude, you really need to relax. It's really not that big a deal! Relax, man. Have a drink (I'll supply the olive).

    Seriously, relax and ask yourself, what good is a blog withough room for creativity and original thoughts?

    By the way, let me assure you that Parisians couldn't care less what other people think; right or wrong, that's just the way it is.

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  8. lol poor Clo. Look at the art in it though, the lines, the curves, the sheen. The presentation! Who'd have thought to exhibit it in a field? Well Tracey Emin i expect, but... Enter it for the Turner Prize, Eric, do.

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  9. Lynn, I don't see a puppy either.

    But I see TWO public toilets.
    The white WC is for women.
    The big green area around it is for men. (yes I've heard terrible stories of men who will go anywhere)

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  10. Eric, a mini PDP meeting? Does that mean there will be a big PDP meeting sometime soon? Or at least a 'medium' one?!!!

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  11. I think the next post should be a fire hydrant. (that was my dog's request)

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  12. Oh! Parisian expat you can have all the Martinis you want, non for me thank you.

    Oh well! another roung of toilet talk starring...enjoy.

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  13. Lynn, I see the puppy too. Looks like the toilet is upside down. Is it to be a planter? I'm sure with the right compost beautiful things will grow. BTW, Château de Chenonceau looks like a fairy tail come true. Simply beautiful.

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  14. hasn't anyone ever heard of Marcel Duchamp's readymades?

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  15. It looks more like a statue than a toilet... no more turkish talk (clo this is for you, I'm trying to be a better person) - How am I doing?
    Although, any toilet in France reminds me of that traumatic experience... (that I will not mention again). But OTHER than the toilet part, great picture!
    ps. the length of Lynn's post (the frist one) nearly made me choke from laughing so hard.

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  16. Cool shot Eric...I love the look of the porcelain! ;) xo

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  17. Oh poor Clo. How can you be so mean to him/her Eric? But this is a very clever post considering the last one related to the same subject (<---note clo: I did not even use the "T" word).

    I thought it might be worth posting something a little more gentle for Clo and others who might have a hard time taking this sitting down. Of course, this is all compliments of Lynn. I'm just moving the link up a few photos...

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  18. Oh Tomate, I know you...I'm sure you have several other ones waiting up your sleeve!

    Off topic, but something that might help Kate, Lynn, and others who aren't exactly very technical. I found this site that explains some of the technical things you may struggle with in a very user friendly way. Hope it helps!

    (note: it's in a mult-media player, so might take a moment to download if you don't have a high speed connecction.

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  19. A lovely garden for an old toilet to rest after long years of service... :-)

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  20. Having had the unfortunate experience of using one of the more sophisticated French versions I think next time I'd much prefer this. After all as dodos says it is a lovely garden and added bonus: no rough pink T.P.!

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  21. Actually Ame, I just went to Santa Clara Daily Photo and now have an idea of why you've been away. I do hope that you are ok and know that many of us are thinking about you.

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  22. Agree with Olive, when looking at this picture, I first saw a statue. Bravo Eric, this time again you gave us a chance for imagination. This is art and I could easely see this one at the next FIAC !

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  23. Yay, Jules it's not just me then. Great!

    Olive, glad to have raised a smile. Flush those blues away.

    he he Michael i'm glad you moved the link. I thought i may get into trouble with Clo if i put it up here!

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  24. Cant wait for a full report on the meeting! I think I might just be able to starts plans for whenever the next meeting is...

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  25. GG Olive and Lynn:

    You GOT it, but you need a little nudging from me! I already mentioned Marcel Duchamps readymades, and left it at that, but no one made mention of it after my post.
    Having left academia years ago, I will not posture here, I will just give you the info. to look up. It is called" Fountain" by R. Mutt (really Marcel Duchamp).. You three hit the mark without knowing it!......and there would be no Tracy Emin without M.Duchamp!

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  26. Quite Soosh. We want photos! Wouldn't it be great if you and i both make it another time..

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  27. Lynn and Soosh, I´m also dying to see the photos of their meeting! Can you believe how luck they are, in a couple of hours they´re going to be in Eric´s presence on the banks of the Seine, accordeons playing in the back and the sun slowing going away on a beautiful spring day...
    ... sigh...

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  28. Oh God Monica, yes, that image is lovely... do you know as it happens, i'm free this weekend - my son visiting father, no work, no boyfriend visiting... only thing is lack of cash!! Why can't it ever all happen at once? Always one thing or the other.

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  29. Have fun at the PDP rendezvous! I wish I could be there! Yes, lots of photos, please!!

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  30. Well, we are a small place in the middle of farming country here in Ohio. I am soooooo glad we don't have toilets in the middle of the parkway. LOL

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  31. Lynn I´m free this weekend too, hubby´s away at work. If we could meet I bet we could have a lot of fun even without much money. Although, to have that fab party of ours in that fancy pool flat we really NEED the money!!!

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  32. Love the toilet in the photo...and Chenonceau aussi!

    Did you know we have FrenchToilets in San Francisco?? Made by Decaux! LOL!!!

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  33. Guess what ladies?!? I'm free too! Oh what fun we could have!

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  34. phx cdg, that's SO funny!!
    Toilet art! Who knew??
    Lynn you should consider looking into this.
    "Fountain" by R. Mutt

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  35. Well, I'm glad to see that I've beaten Eric to the post. I'm sure he'll post a great photo from tonight's picnic along the Seine. The weather was wonderful, the food, well..."picnique", and the Seine has so much night life.

    I won't say here who was there for I'm sure Eric will post a photo after he leaves the bunch and goes home. It was still rocking when I left...

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  36. Hopefully no one peed or... (what a ugh. thought) in the Seine.

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  37. "By the way, let me assure you that Parisians couldn't care less what other people think; right or wrong, that's just the way it is."

    LOL
    That's the way it should be.

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  38. Ahhh Olive, I lived for students like yourself!!! Glad you got a kick out of The Fountain. I just thought it was so funny that you all thought the picture of the public toilet looked like sculpture...... that is what Duchamp was all about so many yrs. ago and was vilified for it.

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  39. However, this toilet doesn't have much in common with Duchamp's readymade because it hasn't been lifted out of it's original context and into the pristine environment of an exhibition space. It's pretty much where we expect to find it, in its little terrain vague, squarely where it belongs. Just so that you don't think Duchamp's gesture was a lesson in appreciating the previously unrecognized form of a toilet. That would be reading the object against the meaning that Duchamp supplied, which was a social/idea gesture, not an aesthetic gesture.

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  40. ...so, phx-cdg, you're completely wrong.

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  41. Ohh Monica and Soosh, yes we'd have such fun, wouldn't need cash at all. Just getting there is the problem. What a waste that we're all free. Three giggling ladies we'd have been. Ohh.

    Olive yes toilet art is a project i may well start. Let's see, a title ... erm ... Seeing A Friend Off To The Coast by Lynn Ede. Catchy.

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  42. Perfect Jardin for squatters but they had better rightside this ceramic works of art.
    Tomate...you cracked me up. Are cats color blind? Olives are green in a martini...not sure, I don't drink alcoholic beverages.
    Jules...I like your tale-tail for your fairies. If you have a graphic mind, you'll get the difference, maybe.
    Love porcelain...even if it is in toiletries.

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  43. We may not have money but we'll figure out a way to get there. And when we do we can find us a nice rich man to pay for all our expenses. Hmm....do we know any men who make enough money to take care of us for a bit...?

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  44. Soosh who would that gentleman be???
    Being in Paris with all our expenses paid, now that would be La vie en rose!

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  45. ...and pie in the sky, girls, as we say here in the UK. lol!

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