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Somebody once said that to understand society at a given point in time, look at their restrooms.

That somebody was me. I don’t know if it is true because I just made that up, but it can certainly feel like the decor and functionality of restrooms, both public and private, say a lot about us and the times we are living in – even if the restroom itself is stuck in time. Do you prefer them looking sterile and harsh? Cozy and kitschy? Luxurious to a fault? Basic and no-frills? High-tech? Perhaps you prefer them done with decor that makes no sense, executed with reckless abandon for any and all design rules as though a monkey on amphetamines went through a curbside dumpster and thought, “yes, this will be perfect!”

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For five years, I've been documenting the restrooms around Cleveland that I happened to find myself in. It started as a joke on Instagram, and just kept going. I can’t quite articulate what the criteria were, but my gut always told me when it was something worth a photo. These are interiors that rarely get documented unless they are designed as “selfie bait”. Sure, some restrooms clearly had a big budget, but it is always interesting to see what can be done with a meager budget. Documenting is important because you never know what will be gone tomorrow.

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    In the short number of years since I started this project as a fun hashtag #restroomsofcleveland, several of these restrooms have been redone or have disappeared completely. The gentrification of cities has erased character and replaced it with subway tiles and Edison bulbs; the rustbelt has been slowly following the “AirSpace” aesthetic much to my disappointment.

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    Bars, theaters, warehouses, grocery stores, private clubs, pinball arcades, museums, schools, churches, furniture stores, and coffee shops are just some of the places you will find in the photo book I compiled – simply titled “The Restrooms of Cleveland.” It is a testament to the fact I hydrate often and have a weak bladder with little regard for location. I wish I had time to tell you my own stories within these facilities; exposed electrical wire, celebrity sightings, girl fights, dance parties, vomit, perfect selfie lighting, and unpaid counseling sessions. There was the time I found myself on my knees under a bride’s dress to fix a mishap, the time I tried desperately to keep the makeshift door closed with one foot while in the dressing room reserved for strippers, and the time a raccoon visited me while minding my own damn business! I’ve seen it all in Cleveland, Ohio, man.

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    #11

    I Spent Five Years Photographing Bathrooms In Cleveland.

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    Gina Booths
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's so weird to see a neon light of the Chinese character 'porridge' in a bathroom, and the character is not even positioned correctly..

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    #13

    I Spent Five Years Photographing Bathrooms In Cleveland.

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    Amy Smith
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks like the ladies in the old Montague Arms in New Cross

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    #18

    I Spent Five Years Photographing Bathrooms In Cleveland.

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    #25

    I Spent Five Years Photographing Bathrooms In Cleveland.

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    Let’s All Just Try And Be Decent
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kind of obviously a dressing room for actors to get ready for theatre shows.... not a bathroom. I'm

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    #32

    I Spent Five Years Photographing Bathrooms In Cleveland.

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    #34

    I Spent Five Years Photographing Bathrooms In Cleveland.

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    Vex Boxx
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I dunno, I'm a little uncomfortable with a picture of a dude who killed his girlfriend hanging up like "yeah, this is what cool looks like." No, not it does not.

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    #36

    I Spent Five Years Photographing Bathrooms In Cleveland.

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    Zoe's Mom
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not an ugly bathroom; it needs some cleaning; maybe storage but it's nice as is.

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    #42

    I Spent Five Years Photographing Bathrooms In Cleveland.

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    John Montgomery
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who knew you could have something like an outhouse or portapotty indoors.

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