Image credit: George Stewart, Overlay Press
Why is talking about toilets (and what goes into them) so difficult?
Should we dispose of household waste?
How could we use it?
Shit Happens!
Shit Happens! is a co-creative project led by artist Louise Mackenzie and supported by the BioDwelling at the Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment at Newcastle University; East Street Arts in Leeds and The NewBridge Project in Newcastle. It explores perceptions of human waste and considers how we might create sustainable toilet facilities in urban settings. Diverse views and experiences were gathered through interviews and workshops with public audiences, industry professionals and academic researchers. The first output from this project is a (conceptually) flushable toilet-paper zine made from a combination of waste-paper, kombucha liquor and natural dye ink. Although biodegradable, the solubility and flushability of the zine has not yet been tested in volume, we suggest reading with pleasure and flushing with caution!
Shit Happens! draws upon expertise from a diverse population, including author of The Big Necessity, Rose George; contemporary artist and wormery expert, Amy Youngs; waste water consultant, Andrew Gardner; founder member of the environmentally focused Burnlaw Centre in Northumberland, Garry Villiers-Stuart; contributors to the environmental and sustainable building project, Art Hostel at East Street Arts in Leeds; members of The NewBridge Project artist community, in particular the Habit Ability! exhibition and event series curated by Dawn Bothwell; social scientists and environmental biotechnologists from the HBBE; local environmentalists, composters and members of the BioDwelling community.
Participatory Activities
During workshops and interviews, various perspectives were gathered on the use and disposal of household (specifically human) waste. Points raised included concerns around public safety, how to meet the sanitation needs of women and the needs of people with invisible disabilities; there is a lack of knowledge on types of sustainable toilet facilities and a level of uncertainty around how to use sustainable toilets such as a composting or separating toilet. Generally, sustainable and environmental options were welcomed and encouraged, however there remains a great deal of uncertainty around the practical implementation of sustainable solutions, particularly in public spaces.
During workshops and interviews, various perspectives were gathered on the use and disposal of household (specifically human) waste. Points raised included concerns around public safety, how to meet the sanitation needs of women and the needs of people with invisible disabilities; there is a lack of knowledge on types of sustainable toilet facilities and a level of uncertainty around how to use sustainable toilets such as a composting or separating toilet. Generally, sustainable and environmental options were welcomed and encouraged, however there remains a great deal of uncertainty around the practical implementation of sustainable solutions, particularly in public spaces.
Risograph Print Technique
BioDwelling participants attended an evening workshop held with Overlay Press at The NewBridge Project where we created 'toilet paper zines' using the Risograph printing technique. Risograph is a relatively eco-friendly printing process, using plant-based inks and stencil 'masters' which are made from banana leaves. Risograph machines do not use chemical print components such as toner and they do not require cooling mechanisms, therefore they have low environmental emissions compared to other print processes. There is still a long way to go before technological forms of printing are completely eco-friendly, but Risograph is a good first step.
BioDwelling participants attended an evening workshop held with Overlay Press at The NewBridge Project where we created 'toilet paper zines' using the Risograph printing technique. Risograph is a relatively eco-friendly printing process, using plant-based inks and stencil 'masters' which are made from banana leaves. Risograph machines do not use chemical print components such as toner and they do not require cooling mechanisms, therefore they have low environmental emissions compared to other print processes. There is still a long way to go before technological forms of printing are completely eco-friendly, but Risograph is a good first step.
Project Outputs
Artist Louise Mackenzie, working with printer and fabricator, George Stewart of Overlay Press, artist and natural dye expert, Katie Pollard and illustrator, Jim Spendlove is developing workshop and interview outputs into two related works: a flushable toilet paper zine (displayed as a poster and as flushable toilet paper) and an audio installation intended for playing in public toilet facilities. These works raise awareness of the environmental concerns around human waste and propose a range of possibilities for how we might consider the use and disposal of human waste in the future.
Our flushable zine is produced in both toilet-paper zine format and A1 poster format and is currently installed at The OME, Newcastle University.
The audio installation will be installed in public toilets at three venues in the UK: The OME, Newcastle University; The NewBridge Project, Newcastle and East Street Arts Art Hostel, Leeds.
More information and full interviews conducted during the project are available here.
Artist Louise Mackenzie, working with printer and fabricator, George Stewart of Overlay Press, artist and natural dye expert, Katie Pollard and illustrator, Jim Spendlove is developing workshop and interview outputs into two related works: a flushable toilet paper zine (displayed as a poster and as flushable toilet paper) and an audio installation intended for playing in public toilet facilities. These works raise awareness of the environmental concerns around human waste and propose a range of possibilities for how we might consider the use and disposal of human waste in the future.
Our flushable zine is produced in both toilet-paper zine format and A1 poster format and is currently installed at The OME, Newcastle University.
The audio installation will be installed in public toilets at three venues in the UK: The OME, Newcastle University; The NewBridge Project, Newcastle and East Street Arts Art Hostel, Leeds.
More information and full interviews conducted during the project are available here.
I am looking at using anaerobic digestion and microbial fuel cells to treat household waste on site at source
One option for homes in urban areas could be a separating toilet, where faeces and urine are channelled separately and can be used in domestic bioreactors to generate heat or electricity
Shit Happens! is supported by
