Some people have mentioned how much they love to read on the toilet, but some other people have mentioned that they might get sick from reading on the loo.

America: Garfield

Japan: Jump (magazine line)

UK: Private Eye

France: Tintin

These comic works are characterized by their distinct visual styles, which allow them to be immediately recognized by readers. For example, the Garfield series is known for its simple, rounded lines; The Adventures of Tintin features detailed and precise illustrations in a style known as "ligne claire" (clear line); and comics like Old Master Q and those found in Shonen Jump are known for their dynamic and exaggerated expressions.

Narrative Technique Combining Text and Images: These comics use a combination of images and text to tell stories, making the narratives more vivid and engaging. The images are not just supplements to the text; they are central to the storytelling process.

Cross-Cultural Universal Themes: Although these works originate from diverse cultural backgrounds, they often explore universal themes such as adventure, friendship, justice, and humor. These themes have a broad appeal that transcends cultural boundaries, making these comics beloved and accepted by readers from different cultures around the world. This cross-cultural relevance helps to ensure that these comics not only entertain but also foster a sense of shared human experience across the globe.

One thing against one thing　一物剋一物, 2010

Ink on paper

16 1/2 × 11 3/5 in | 42 × 29.5 cm

Frame included

pon reviewing a website, I noted a debate about the practice of reading in restrooms. This observation prompted me to consider the effectiveness of conciseness in my artistic endeavors. After further investigation, I referred to an illustrated popular science book that uses humor to present cultural history, revealing the intriguing lifestyles of people from the past. This book, similar to my prior reading materials, focuses on brevity in its content.

Consequently, I am contemplating creating a series of brief comic strips that blend humor with educational elements across various topics. This format is ideally suited for the brief durations typically spent in restrooms, enriching the reader's experience with quick, impactful bursts of knowledge.

1789

To trim your toenails in water... you must hold the nail-knife in your right hand (if you are right-handed), raise your left leg, place your foot on your right knee, and hold it in your left hand, so that you can trim your toenails safely and securely. You can also pick your toenails; even if there's little other use or benefit to doing so, this technique of recording live is highly recommended.

Melchisedech Thevenot.

Tbe Art of Sreimming.

Don't want to waste valuable exercise time on grooming, or don't want to waste grooming time on exercise?

Why not try this trick!

13th Century

By constantly massaging your bald spot with grated onions, you will be able to restore your

glamour of the top of your head.

Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum

(Regimen Sanitatis Salernitanum)

Don't worry!

Even if this remedy doesn't regrow your hair, an onion-lubricated scalp is certainly attractive!

Temporary escape from daily life: In the toilet, people can briefly escape from their work or family responsibilities, and this temporary escape can sometimes break the mould of thinking and stimulate new ideas.

Simple, repetitive activities: Performing simple, habitual activities (such as taking a shower or going to the toilet) can put the brain into a state of limbic consciousness, which is considered fertile ground for creative thinking.

Isolation and introspection: the toilet provides an isolated environment that prompts self-reflection and introspection. This self-talk sometimes triggers creative ideas or inspiration to solve problems.

New perspectives from changing environments: Changing the usual environment and context, even if it's as simple as going from a desk to a toilet, may prompt the brain to look at problems and challenges in new ways.

Furthermore, they challenged social and cultural norms: these literary works have provoked discussions about morality, values, and beliefs. They encourage readers to reflect on their own ideas and prejudices, as well as society's attitudes and ways of handling these topics.

For instance, some households might place symbolic purifying items like salt or orange peels in toilets to ward off evil spirits and prevent misfortune. Additionally, specific rituals and prayers are employed to protect family members from harm that might be encountered in toilets due to malevolent spirits.

In my project, I explore a theory that is closely linked to the theme I aim to address. When confronted with social injustices, many individuals often opt for silence. My goal is not to incite extreme expressions but to awaken awareness of these issues. When collective silence becomes normalized, society's tolerance of injustice may mistakenly be perceived as an endorsement of justice. Therefore, developing the capacity for critical thinking, courageously confronting and rejecting injustice, and engaging in continuous self-reflection are essential for upholding social justice. This requires not only recognizing and challenging widely accepted injustices but also conducting a profound examination of our own behaviors and beliefs.

On this website, I read a passage written by the editor who titled these texts "The Toilet Zone." The toilet is used metaphorically to describe various social issues. Each text reveals a problem faced by people in society, highlighting the harsh reality that, despite the challenges presented, individuals often feel powerless to change their circumstances. This concept uses the everyday setting of a toilet as a space to reflect on broader societal issues, suggesting that these problems, much like a restroom, are often ignored or hidden away from public view.

• Meaning: refers to a low and continuous sound that may be less concerned with being heard and expresses more of a sense of background noise or unclear speech.

  
  

  Atmosphere: carries a more natural, casual sense of communication and may be less intensely clandestine or private.

• Verb：to speak or say something very quietly:

• to complain about something that you disagree with or dislike, but not in a public way:

In the "To Look Without Fear" series, Tillmans explores cultural diversity and fusion. His works often feature people and scenes from different backgrounds, showcasing the complexity of cultural identity in the age of globalization. By presenting the intersections and interactions of various cultural elements, his works encourage viewers to reconsider the concepts of cultural identity and belonging.

Expression and Inspiration

Tillmans' works often delve into the relationship between seeing and being seen, and how photography serves as a tool to observe and document the world. The title "To Look Without Fear" itself encourages viewers to let go of preconceived notions and open their hearts to embrace diversity and new perspectives. The inspiration for his creations may include reflections on the current socio-political climate, explorations of personal and collective experiences, and an investigation into the medium of photography itself.

Audience Perception

Tillmans hopes that viewers will feel a sense of freedom and possibility from his works, while maintaining a sense of curiosity and openness towards the world. His works encourage viewers to think about how their own viewpoints are formed and how art can connect different cultures and personal experiences.

Specific Works and Arrangement

In this series, Tillmans' photographs are usually scattered throughout the exhibition space without a fixed order or pattern. This approach is intended to encourage viewers to experience the works in a non-linear way. For example, a large photograph of a nighttime street scene in Berlin might be placed on the floor, while a group of small snapshots depicting family life might be casually pinned to the wall. This layout aims to break traditional viewing habits and stimulate the audience's desire for exploration and free association.

4o

Visual hierarchy is a design principle that guides viewers' attention by organizing and arranging visual elements. This arrangement affects how viewers perceive and interpret visual information. In art and design, visual hierarchy is created by controlling several key factors:

Size: Larger elements tend to draw more attention, so they are often placed in prominent positions.

Color: Bright or contrasting colors naturally attract the eye.

Contrast: Contrast in light and dark, color, or size effectively draws focus.

Position: Important elements are usually centered or placed in easily noticeable spots within a composition.

Repetition and Rhythm: Repeating certain elements creates a visual flow, directing viewers' gaze.

Texture and Style: Various textures and styles enrich the visual composition and draw interest.

By skillfully managing these components, artists and designers can emphasize certain aspects, guiding viewers through their visual narratives.

TitleMy Mother, Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire, Nov. 82 #4ArtistDavid HockneyDate1982Dimensions47 1/2 x 27 1/2 in (120.7 x 69.9 cm)Art MovementAbstract ExpressionismCurrent LocationCollection David Hockney

Azcerate Ristori dose Maria de: Perez Sanchez, Alfonso Emilio Ramirez Dominguez,Juan Antonio (1983). Historia del Arte. Madrid: Anava

Fernández Polanco, Aurora (1989). Fin de siglo: Simbolismo y Art Nouveau. Madrid: Historia 16.

Arnheim, Rudolf. (1973). The Genesis of a Painting:

Picasso's Guernica. London: University of California Press.

Becht-Jördens, Gereon: Picassos Guernica als kunsttheoretisches Programm. In: Becht-Jördens,

Gereon and Wehmeier, (In German) Peter M.:

Picasso und de christliche Ikonographie. Mutterbeziehung und künstlerische Position.

This form of expression utilizes the urban landscape as a canvas to challenge societal norms and voice dissent. Graffiti artists often aim to make bold statements that invite viewers to reconsider their surroundings and the issues depicted. By transforming everyday environments into forums for public discourse, graffiti acts as a powerful tool for cultural and political engagement. Its presence underscores the tension between authority and individual freedom, highlighting the artist's role in shaping dialogue about pressing social issues.

Graffiti art is an art form that originated in street culture. It dates back to ancient times but began to develop in the West in the early 20th century. Graffiti art in the UK has Bristol and London as important centres. Recent graffiti artists have diverse styles, including abstract, realistic and geometric.

Colour: The colours used in graffiti art are varied, and there are no set rules. Artists can choose from bright and vibrant colours, black, white, grey tones, or unique colour schemes.

Elements: Common elements in graffiti art include words, images, symbols, geometric shapes, patterns and so on. These elements can be creatively combined and interpreted to form the artist's signature.

Expression: Graffiti artists express personal views, social issues, political stances, emotional experiences and more through their work.

Piero Manzoni's "Artist's Shit" is a piercing critique of the commercialization of the art market in the 1960s and the role of artworks as commodities. The work consists of 90 cans, each containing Manzoni's faeces, sealed and labelled with an exact net weight of 30 grams, indistinguishable from ordinary food cans on the outside. Manzoni priced these cans at the equivalent value of their weight in gold, challenging and satirizing the art market's method of valuing art.

"Artist's Shit" directly targets the art market and its consumers. Through this work, Manzoni criticizes the art market's superficial and simplistic understanding of art value while also mocking collectors and investors who are willing to spend substantial amounts on such "artworks." He challenges the traditional sanctification of artworks and artists within the art world and how the market drives the creation and circulation of art. This piece not only questions the definitions of art and value but also provocatively reflects on the dynamics of supply and demand in art economics.

In this context, the installation of a gold toilet in a museum—a place symbolizing cultural sophistication—becomes a powerful medium for discussing the unfair distribution of wealth. It prompts viewers to reflect on who can afford such luxuries and what the status of ordinary people is in a society where wealth is highly concentrated. This art installation not only critiques the ostentatious display of wealth but also challenges the viewers to consider the implications of such inequality and their own positions within these dynamics.

Artist position: Illustrator

I seek to use the visual language of subcultures to challenge the acceptance of traditional silences, encouraging viewers to bravely voice their opinions and publicly express their personal views. Each character in the illustrations symbolizes the value of independent thinking and their place within cultural diversity. The term 'edges' here refers not just to the marginal appearance but also to the sharpness and depth of thoughts, underscoring the power of individual ideologies and their role in shaping social discourse. This rewrite aims to maintain the essence of your message in a clear and engaging manner.

As I had previously thought about the impact of the toilet scene on me, I thought about why it was safe to be in a toilet scene, and read some of the literature on how toilets make people think. The word "imagination" extended to children's creativity.

I read parts of "The Beast in the Nursery" by Adam Phillips, who explores the potency of children's imagination and how adults gradually lose this faculty. He likens children's imagination to a "beast," representing unfiltered creativity and the pure expression of emotion. As adults, societal norms, cultural constraints, and the pressures of reality often "tame" this inner beast, leading to a diminishment of imaginative power. Phillips challenges the conventional view that adults should completely abandon the fantasies of childhood, suggesting instead that these fantasies have their value and significance. He advocates that even adults should strive to retain and appreciate this "beast" from childhood—a primal force and creativity emanating from deep within.

Conceptual art is an art form.It emphasizes the importance of the concept and ideas of art rather than focusing solely on the structure of presentation or aesthetic value of the artwork.In conceptual art, the audience plays a crucial role.They receive and understand the concepts and ideas conveyed by the artist, and through their interpretation, evaluation, and participation, they give the work a deeper meaning.

Marcel Duchamp's artwork "Fountain" was displayed in 1917 at the Society of Independent Artists' salon, which was one of the most famous examples of conceptual art. The salon was a self-proclaimed avant-garde art organization aimed at liberating thought and supporting new art forms. However, many of the works in this salon required a fee to be exhibited. The presence of "Fountain" criticized this so-called avant-garde art organization, sparking critiques from many industry insiders and critics against Duchamp.

The artistic context and the designation given by the artist were enough to make an object art, rather than any intrinsic qualities of the object itself. This provocative stance flew in the face of a salon that charged artists to exhibit, thus highlighting the tensions between commercialism and the ideals of artistic innovation and independence.

Composition: I chose an eye-level perspective to portray a tranquil scene. With the horizon line flat, the visual focus naturally centers on the figures and the intimate parts of the woman. This perspective emphasizes the actions and privacy of the female figure.

Colors: Red and blue are contrasting colors that dominate the painting, emphasizing key elements like the figure. Yellow is used to brighten areas that lack emphasis, adding visual impact and separating similar objects. Gray fills the less significant parts, ensuring the composition remains focused and preventing an overload of bright colors that could obscure the main focus.

Symbols: The "scales of justice" are depicted as a drying rack in the bathroom, symbolizing fairness and justice. On one side of the rack, I've drawn household items, while on the other, I've depicted a baby's bottle, signifying the balance between "motherhood" and "self." Flowers symbolize a woman's life and intimate parts, covered in tile patterns to express societal oppression over women's bodies. Red water droplets hint at danger and pain.

This concept revolves around the theme of war. In times of conflict, I hope people will find the courage to raise their voices, advocating collectively for world peace.

Composition:

The figures are positioned in the corner, while the horse dominates the visual center, taking up most of the composition. This arrangement highlights the different spatial relationships between the person and the horse, with the latter imparting a sense of oppression.

Symbolism:

Inspired by Picasso's "Guernica," the startled horse represents the wounded in war. Arnold Böcklin's "Isle of the Dead" influenced the inclusion of cypress trees, which symbolize life. In Western culture, bubbles signify both the beautiful and ephemeral, representing the fragility and brevity of life. This combination of symbols serves to emphasize the transient nature of existence.

Colors: Red and blue are contrasting colors and form the core of my composition, highlighting crucial elements like figures. Yellow acts as an accent color, used last to brighten areas that lack emphasis, creating visual impact and separation between similarly colored objects. Gray fills in less important areas, ensuring that the composition remains focused without overwhelming the viewer.

Symbols: I've added the transgender flag as a subtle hint and used the shadow of red lips in the mirror to allude to the underlying reality. The mirror serves as a reflection of two opposing elements, symbolizing women's internal conflict and their powerlessness in reality. The "surveillance" emitting red light signifies women being watched.

"The bathroom, often regarded as a private sanctuary where individuals attend to personal needs, serves as a potential forum for exploring sensitive topics. It functions not just as a place for physiological routines but also as a space for releasing psychological secrets."

Composition:

In these paintings, I depict various individuals from different perspectives, highlighting how people engage in distinct activities in the bathroom. This aligns with the concept of "multiple perspectives," emphasizing that even though their actions vary, these characters are interconnected. The exaggerated poses of the figures disrupt compositional balance, creating a strong visual impact.

Symbolism:

Elements like the laundry basket as a speaker, symbolizing the reverberation of sound throughout the bathroom, and the pipes hinting at the hidden yet vital connections between people, add symbolic layers to the narrative. The exaggerated postures emphasize the unique psychological state of each character. By incorporating elements from my earlier sketches, continuity is maintained, reinforcing the overall thematic cohesion of the artwork.

This composition invites viewers to reflect on the connectedness of personal spaces while considering broader social issues.

Composition: The central figure represents the "wealthy," while the smaller figure on the left symbolizes the ordinary populace. The slanted composition underscores the disparity in social status between the two. The left side is simple, while the right is more elaborate.

Symbols: The contrasting toilets reflect different socioeconomic backgrounds. The left side shows a public restroom, while the right displays a luxurious bathtub. The bathtub, typically associated with cleansing, symbolizes both physical and spiritual purification. It represents renewal or rebirth from past troubles or guilt. The curtains represent the revealing or concealing of information or truth.

Symbols: Lips are drawn on the ceiling to represent the act of speaking out, yet they appear sealed, conveying the inability to voice their concerns. The raindrops evoke the sadness, loneliness, and melancholy often associated with rain.