Stephanie Krimmel, Concept sketch for "Private Messaging" bathroom stall installation, 2025
The toilet is an equalizer. “Everybody poops,” so they say, and as they’re making their deposits in the bowl, some also leave deposits of graffiti on the wall. Whether it’s humorous, profound, or occasionally lewd, it’s a conversation-starter, an invitation for the next guest to react.
In “Private Messaging”, the walls of the bathroom stall are covered with a seven foot tall swath of reversible sequin fabric, gloss black on one side, and silver on the other. This semi-reflective surface serves both as a distorted mirror and an interactive canvas. By flipping the sequins one way or the other, visitors can write messages or create drawings that change and/or get obliterated over time as new visitors come and leave their marks.
It's a time-based immersive and interactive work where each consecutive occupant can add to the masterpiece in the privacy of their own stall.
Is it gross? Maybe… But a good reminder for everyone to wash their hands!
Installation: Reversible sequin fabric is adhered to 4mm corrugated plastic panels, which are adhered to the walls of the bathroom stall with construction adhesive or an alternative such as screws.
Stephanie Krimmel, I to Eye, Interactive art, 8 x 12 feet, 2024, NFS
Reference work: I to Eye (8x12 feet, 2024)
Through the creation of this work, I learned what adhesives work well on fabric and how much tension is needed to make the sequins easy to flip. For Private Messaging, changes will be made to improve durability and prevent fabric from sliding as it is manipulated.