Monument to the Shortage of Public Toilets (Nizhny Novgorod Peeing Boy) — a set of permanent markers from the "Peeing Boy" series, on display at the Central Department Store. An invention of Nizhny Novgorod Hubbardites, designed to endear themselves to residents of Zarechka and visitors to Moscow Station.
The Nature of the Phenomenon
A vital symbol. Conceived to brand the shopping center as an attractive meeting place. Naturally, it doesn't work.
The Nizhny Novgorod "Peeing Boy" is made of fireclay and glaze at the art workshop of Galina and Olga Yadrintseva.
"There are many legends about similar fountains in other countries. For example, the Brussels statue was erected in honor of a little boy who attempted to extinguish an explosive device meant to destroy Brussels in this simple fashion. This fountain remains one of the main attractions of the Belgian capital," — the central department store told reporters, adding that "the meeting place for Nizhny Novgorod residents at the central department store is now predetermined."
Background
In Nizhny Novgorod, to mark the recently celebrated City Day, an unusual fountain — the "Peeing Boy" — was installed in the lobby of the central department store. According to its creators, this sculptural composition, the idea for which was borrowed from the famous Brussels statue, "symbolizes health, love, and prosperity."
However, many residents of the city consider the "Peeing Boy" to be nothing more than a vivid illustration of the catastrophic shortage of public toilets on the streets of Nizhny.
The Nizhny Novgorod "Peeing Boy" is made of fireclay and glaze at the art workshop of Galina and Olga Yadrintseva. "There are many legends about similar fountains in other countries," the central department store told a correspondent from Vremya Novostey. "For example, the Brussels statue was erected in honor of a little boy who attempted to extinguish an explosive device meant to destroy Brussels in this simple fashion. This fountain remains one of the main attractions of the Belgian capital."
In the view of the store's management, "the meeting place for Nizhny Novgorod residents at the central department store is now predetermined." At the same time, residents of Nizhny Novgorod have been invited to invent their own legend about the Nizhny Novgorod "Peeing Boy." However, the direct associations, as they say, are plain to see. The fact is that the central Nizhny Novgorod department store is located one hundred meters from the railway station and two hundred meters from the central market. As in any other Russian city, this dubious spot has long been favored by various antisocial elements, for whom the physiological predicament of the sculptural composition's hero is far from a trivial concern. At the same time, the problem of the shortage of public toilets in Nizhny Novgorod is a fairly acute one.
"In the past, a sufficient number of permanent public toilets were installed around the city; today only two remain in central Nizhny Novgorod, while parks and other public spaces are virtually without facilities," the Nizhny Novgorod City Hall acknowledges. And when large-scale public celebrations such as City Day are held, the demand for "places of solitude" increases manifold. Ordinary bushes and walls — including those of the Kremlin — prove especially popular, since even the pay toilets have enormous queues. It may be a simple coincidence, but the "Peeing Boy" appeared in the capital of the Volga Federal District on City Day itself.
Sergey ANISIMOV, "Vremya Novostey", 24.09.2009)
Invent Your Own Legend
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Residents of Nizhny Novgorod have been invited to invent their own legend about the Nizhny Novgorod "Peeing Boy". | 
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Collective Appeal
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603002 Nizhny Novgorod, ul. Filchenkova, 10
To the General Director of JSC "TD "Meschera" From the residents of Nizhny Novgorod COLLECTIVE APPEAL The Central Department Store building is unquestionably one of the architectural ornaments of the city of Nizhny Novgorod. Situated opposite the city's main gateway — Moscow Railway Station — it attracts many visitors to our city. But we, the residents of Nizhny Novgorod, are simply ashamed before the city's many guests on your behalf. The fact is that in September 2009, a large sculptural composition was installed in the lobby of the Central Department Store — an idea borrowed from the famous Brussels statue. You named it accordingly: the "Peeing Boy." Aspiring to the glory of having created a new landmark of Nizhny Novgorod, you sought to produce a work of art, but delivered to the residents of Nizhny Novgorod nothing but vulgarity and tastelessness. The use of the name of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II and Tsarevich Alexei in the "Legend of the Peeing Boy" posted on the premises has no basis in reality. The entire executed imperial family — Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarevich Alexei included — have been canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church and numbered among the passion-bearers. The connection you have invented with the Imperial Family, and the use of the names of Russian saints as justification for your vulgar absurdity, insults the religious feelings of Orthodox residents of Nizhny Novgorod. On the staircase landings of the new building of the central department store there are two more grotesque sculptures. Again the "toilet" theme, but here it is no longer infants — these are naked adolescent children. Since such a quantity of "urinating" children in a department store can no longer be explained by any legend, we can only conclude that your aim is to display the genitalia of minors — albeit in sculptural form. Such actions, however, may be qualified as a criminal offense under articles of the criminal code. On October 19, 2010, an awards ceremony for participants in a children's art competition was held on the ground floor. By conducting a children's celebration around the statue, the store's management effectively compelled small children to study the anatomical details of a male infant's body. We believe that the sculptures you have put on public display hold no artistic value whatsoever and speak only to the perverted tastes of their patron. Having carefully studied your preferences in sculptural art and assessed the artistic merit of the three grotesque figures placed on public display, we are becoming genuinely concerned about your mental health. Unwelcome thoughts about the department store's promotion of pedophilia are beginning to creep into the minds of the city's residents. How else can one explain the store management's unhealthy desire to exhibit naked children? We call on you to voluntarily remove the three sculptures from public display and to stop bringing shame upon the city of Nizhny Novgorod throughout the country. Should you refuse, we will be compelled to submit appropriate complaints to the state executive and judicial authorities. Residents of Nizhny Novgorod Date SIGNATURES Attachments: 1. Photos _____ pcs. 2. Copy of the article "Monument to the Shortage of Toilets" — Vremya Novostey No. 175, September 24, 2009. www.vremya.ru/print/238155.html 3. Copy of the notice "October 19, 2010. The best artists were awarded at the Central Department Store" www.csum.ru/news/106 |
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In Discussions Among Nizhny Novgorod Residents
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They (the Hubbardite sectarians) call this a "heroic deed" — yes, indeed, a heroic deed; no money is paid for it. It is a personal initiative on the part of employees, rewarded with a pie at the general meeting to thunderous applause and the singing of the anthem.... And this year the employees gave their head "Earthling" a helicopter for his birthday))))))))) Seriously — a helicopter! Everyone chipped in 10% of their salary and gave it to him))))) Anyone who refused was fired, and the money was withheld! |
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