Caitlin Cook, a resident of the vibrant neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, has discovered a unique source of inspiration – bathroom graffiti. As an art history major who grew weary of the pretentiousness of the art world, she found solace in the raw and unfiltered messages scrawled on bathroom stalls. Cook, now 33, stated, “I was drawn to the idea that without all the elitism, you have people simply trying to connect with one another.”
It all started in a dive bar in Chicago where she stumbled upon a quote that read, “Writing on toilet walls is neither for critical acclaim nor financial reward. It is the purest form of art.” This sparked a ten-year search for more intriguing quotes in restrooms all over the world – from Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Indonesia, to Iceland.
In women’s bathrooms, Cook often encounters “gossipy, fun” conversations and empowering affirmations. She shared, “Within a poetic statement about a relationship, you’ll find someone responding, urging the writer to move on.” On the other hand, men’s stalls tend to showcase more lewd illustrations rather than motivational messages. Cook humorously noted, “Penises seem to be the recurring theme, with some creatively sketched ones wearing business suits, appearing as angels, ninjas, cowboys, or even smoking a cigarette. I must confess, I’ve contributed some of my own.”
After sharing her findings on popular social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, Cook’s posts began to gain viral attention. One video, capturing a conversation between two stall-writers debating freedom, garnered over a million views. Consequently, people from around the globe also started sending her their own discoveries, leading to a daily influx of up to 50 photos of bathroom graffiti from as far as South Africa.
Interestingly, the nature of bathroom graffiti varies across different continents. Cook observed that Europeans tend to have less of it, possibly due to frequent clean-ups and painting. However, when it does exist, it often carries more political undertones. She enthusiastically shared, “It’s fascinating to see the cultural differences reflected in this form of expression.”
Among the numerous gems she receives, there are confessions, such as one that humorously admits, “When I’m alone, I like to fill the bathtub with tomato sauce and pretend I’m a meatball. Don’t judge me!” After capturing these scribbles for five years, Cook decided to transform her favorites into a musical experience titled “The Purest Form of Art.” Set in the intimate confines of a dive bar bathroom, her musical, known as “The Writing on the Stall,” delves into the conversations and emotional musings of anonymous individuals.
The feedback for her initial song was overwhelmingly positive, motivating Cook to expand upon the concept and create an entire musical. Her songs revolve around themes of human connection, melancholy, and the profound sentiments expressed by people on bathroom walls. Starting from September 6th, Cook will grace the stage at the Soho Playhouse with her one-woman off-Broadway production of “The Writing on the Stall.”
The culmination of the show, a song titled “Conversations with Strangers,” pays homage to these anonymous exchanges. One particularly humorous heart-to-heart featured in the ballad begins with a thought-provoking question about idealizing the past, to which someone responded, “Dude, I’m just trying to take a s–t.”
Caitlin Cook’s unusual journey from bathroom graffiti enthusiast to a performer on the off-Broadway stage demonstrates the power of finding inspiration in the most unexpected places.
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