This Exhibition Adds Design and Dynamism to the Toilet Paper Holder

Zoë Sessums
·2 min read

In recent years, I've seen an uptick in art exhibitions that take a creative spin on everyday objects, including urns, ashtrays, paperweights, and clocks. It never ceases to amaze me how some of my favorite artists use their brains to reimagine these often dull designs. The latest exhibition in this realm tackles one of the most unimaginative pieces: the toilet paper holder. 

Marta gallery in Los Angeles teamed up with tree-free toilet paper brand Plant Paper to present “Under / Over,” a group exhibition of more than 50 iterations of the toilet paper holder. Not only does the show, which is also hosted online, showcase some of Clever's favorite creatives, like Chen Chen + Kai Williams, Another Human, and Joseph Algieri, but it also highlights the important role Plant Paper has taken in prioritizing the design in packaging and voice in order to bring consideration to an overlooked industry (i.e. big TP companies decimating the environment).

So beyond getting inspired by the incredible pieces of design that merges function and delight, “Under / Over” is here to perhaps provide some hope for reversing the effects of the current and appalling practice of 27,000 trees being flushed down the world’s toilets each day. Let's rethink the humble toilet paper holder, says the curators, “prizing a seemingly humble piece of hardware that we invariably interact with every day and, in so doing, perhaps prompting a subtle shift in this particular paradigm.”

Fall in love with some of our favorites and check out the rest of the show here, which will be on display (and online) from September 10 to November 1. While you're at it, maybe it's time to rethink the toilet paper you're using or finally get that bidet.

This chic acrylic holder is by Another Human.
This chic acrylic holder is by Another Human.
There are a variety of colorful ceramic holders on display by BNAG. This one is called Toilet Flamingo.
There are a variety of colorful ceramic holders on display by BNAG. This one is called Toilet Flamingo.
Ryan Belli's designs are true delights. This poplar and brass piece is called Triple Stack.
Ryan Belli's designs are true delights. This poplar and brass piece is called Triple Stack.
Chen Chen & Kai Williams serve up some stainless steel and humor with Kraptonite.
We have a longstanding love of colorful powder-coated steel, so this holder, Sandro's Hands, by Erik Benjamins, is a winner.
We have a longstanding love of colorful powder-coated steel, so this holder, Sandro's Hands, by Erik Benjamins, is a winner.
Joseph Algieri has his way with a hot glue gun for this holder, Crystal Pepsi’s Charmin Ultra.
Made of 3D-printed plastic and a nylon strap, Be Prepared is by Visibility.
Made of 3D-printed plastic and a nylon strap, Be Prepared is by Visibility.
Carlos Little's Flush House is made of DensGlass, Homasote, and rigid foam.
Carlos Little's Flush House is made of DensGlass, Homasote, and rigid foam.
And if you want to get into the whole toiletscape, Peter Shire made these bright, cheerful painted toilet seats.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest