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Gold toilet Getty 1.jpg

OK, Which One of You Stole the Solid Gold Toilet?

By Kayleigh Donaldson | Miscellaneous | September 16, 2019 |

By Kayleigh Donaldson | Miscellaneous | September 16, 2019 |


Gold toilet Getty 1.jpg

‘America’, an art installation by Maurizio Cattelan, is intended to be a scathing indictment on the 1% mentality of the most powerful country on the planet. It is a rather literal interpretation of the cavalier attitude the nation often has towards its obscene fetishizing of wealth, money, and capitalism. Through audience participation, the piece invites us to consider what the true worth of objects are and if commodification comes at a higher moral price than we would typically expect.

And yes, it is a solid gold toilet you can actually take a dump in.

We wrote before about how Cattelan’s now-infamous toilet had been installed at Blenheim Palance, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, as part of his first British exhibition. Well, it ain’t there anymore because someone stole it. Yes, someone ripped the fully-functioning gold toilet out of Churchill’s home and ran off with it. Honestly, that may be a better commentary on the art-piece than was originally intended. I kind of admire it.

The theft happened sometime on Saturday, causing significant damage and flooding to the area because that’s what happens when you rip a working toilet off the walls. A 66-year-old man was arrested in connection to the theft but the toilet is still missing. It’s likely that it will be melted down by the crooks. Once again, a pretty solid artistic message to send. It’s all very Robin Hood, but with skidmarks. Cattelan had to publicly deny that he’s orchestrated the theft himself as part of some Banksy-style stunt.

Twitter, of course, reacted with empathy to the news.







Whatever the case and wherever it is, I hope someone is sh*tting in style tonight.



Header Image Source: Getty Images