The writing’s on the stall

For many students at UT, the bathrooms are seen as some of the most germ-infected places on the entire campus. While some elect not to use the public restrooms due to reputation of lacking cleanliness, for others the bathroom is transformed into their own art studio, with the walls and stalls serving as their easels.

Whether here at UT or in other bathrooms across the nation, people using the stalls have been party to witnesses these rogue masterpieces.

People who write on the walls and stalls within bathrooms are not "vandals" or "criminals" as the vast majority tends to believe. Instead, try to think of them as you would a graffiti artist, using a public space to voice an opinion. The stall is both an easel and a message board where writers can express the most ribald of thoughts publicly.

Of course, many disagree, and believe that these pieces are inappropriate and vulgar. Likewise, the masses would probably agree that the negative and obscene things should be not drawn at all.

But much like finding a Van Gogh at a garage sale, you will occasionally bear witness to some quality sketches along with a rare poignant and humorous commentary. Would it be so unreasonable to consider it art, regardless of the medium?

Here's the litmus test: if you've repeated something that you read on a bathroom stall because you thought it was funny or interesting, than you've just validated its presence.

There are also some instances where people have been caught in the act of drawing on the walls and stalls, and there have been reports of a wide variety of responses.

One rumor around campus is that an artist, after being caught in the incriminating position of scrawling on the walls, immediately ran out of the rest room.

Byron Harris, a freshman majoring in music education, believes that this form of expression is indeed art and like any other work of art, the writer has a purpose in mind while creating the work.

"I think that maybe they have a thought or a concept that they would like to be seen publicly," Harris said. "Maybe they also want to get a point out to everyone."

When asked about the famous "for a good time call" messages found in the bathroom, Harris had a dual reaction: "Some people do it to be silly. And there are some people who do it just to do it."

One student, wishing to remain anonymous, relayed a story of a female friend that responded positively to a date request resulting from him finding her number on a bathroom stall.

Harris noted that he had never caught anyone in the act of drawing on the bathroom wall or stall, but he had an idea as to what he would do if he did catch somebody.

"I would ask them what they are thinking and feeling and what frame of mind they were in, in regards to drawing the particular thing," Harris said.

When asked if he believed that these drawings could be considered art, he enthusiastically agreed.

"We all know art comes in different types of ways," Harris said. "Some people may think that the venue matters [when producing art], but we are in America, we have freedom to express ourselves."

At UT, students also have the opportunity to see humorous writings specific to their department or major. Often you can find math equations accompanied with jokes or a limerick in the stalls near the English Department.

The best may be in the basement of Scott Hall, where Political Science classes are taught. It reads "Future leaders of America, remember to wash your hands."

Funny - and helpful.