Island Soap, Shower and Shower Shop

Welcome to the Neighbourhood, Akseaton Contemporary Arts, Askeaton, Ireland
Curated by Michelle Horrigan

June 17 – June 29, 2013

Island Soap, Pine needles, bark and glycerin

On our previous island expedition to Fitjar we collected pine tree needles and bark from the work Measuring an Island. With the help of Fitjar Såpekokeri, the material was made into a 6 kg bar and several smaller bars, which were transported to Ireland the summer of 2013, when we were invited to take part in the art festival Welcome to the Neighbourhood in Askeaton.

At the end of our stay in Askeaton, we presented to the town the work shower, a public shower in the public space made out of recuperated wooden beams. The shower was placed in a creek which runs by the ruins of the old Franciscan Friary. In the middle of the creek was an abandoned cement structure in form of a cube,  which we used as a base for the structure. The door to the shower was a drawbridge, which also served as bridge to get into the shower, when it was lowered. Once inside the shower, the bridge could be mounted by pulling a rope inside the construction and by sucking on the rubber hose, water would flow from the bucket on the roof. Accessories for personal hygiene, including smaller bars of soap could be found in the Shower Shop next to the town square.

Shower, Wood, bucket, hose, soap