Ad of the Day: Rankin and WaterAid lift lid on sanitation crisis with arty toilet seats
According to WaterAid, one in five people globally do not have access to a decent toilet in their home, which compromises their safety, dignity and health. To raise awareness Rankin and a whole host of creatives have designed an array of artistic toilet seats.
WaterAid estimates that 800 children are dying every day from diarrhoeal diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation. A third of schools also lack decent toilets, which can result in many people who menstruate having to stay at home during their period, holding them back from fulfilling their potential.
The Rankin Agency is celebrating toilets as the lifesavers they are by teaming up with artists, designers, comedians and musicians to create their own very unique toilet seats. Harry Hill, Pam Hogg, Val Garland, Boy George, Dame Zandra Rhodes, Pure Evil and Hayden Kays are among 25 artists who have given the ‘Best Seat in the House’ a special splash of luxury.
“It’s easy for us to take toilets for granted; we just assume everyone has one. But one in five people don’t have this basic human right – that’s an extraordinary figure. When traveling with work, I’ve seen first-hand how difficult it is for people to live without a toilet, and the impact it has on their health, education, dignity and safety,” said photographer and director Rankin.
“The toilet really is the best seat in the house, and that’s what we want to show through this campaign. Toilets can make us feel a little uncomfortable. Using the toilet seat as a canvas is an accessible and engaging way to put the spotlight on toilets and get people talking about them. The designs are fun, but carry an important message – that everyone everywhere needs a decent toilet. And by supporting WaterAid, we can help get toilets into schools around the world so children can build a better future.”
As part of WaterAid’s wider ‘Thirst for Knowledge’ appeal, the charity is helping get clean water and toilets to communities around the world, which will help prevent the spread of deadly diseases, improve education and transform lives.
Fashion and textile designer Dame Zandra Rhodes created a beautifully embroidered seat.
Inside the seat designed by singer and DJ Boy George are the words ‘Piss and Love.’
Fashion designer and musician Pam Hogg created a stylish gold seat.
Comedian and TV presenter Harry Hill called his the lucky toilet seat, listing things this special seat can protect you from, including ghosts and junk mail.
