America (Cattelan)

Cattelan created the toilet in 2016 for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. It was made in a foundry in Florence, cast in several parts that were welded together. Made to look like the museum's other Kohler toilets, it was installed in one of the museum's bathrooms for visitors to use.[3][4] A special cleaning routine was put in place.[5] The museum stated that the work was paid for with private funds.[6]

According to the museum, over 100,000 people waited in line to use America, and a security guard was posted outside the bathroom. According to Cattelan, the work was made of 103 kilograms (227 lb) of gold, which in September 2019 was valued at more than four million dollars as bullion.[4][7] As an artwork, it has been estimated as high as six million.[8]

In September 2017, when the museum declined a White House request to loan its 1888 Van Gogh painting Landscape with Snow for then President Donald Trump's private rooms, curator Nancy Spector offered to loan America instead. Any reply by the White House was not reported.[7]

In September 2019, America was installed at Blenheim Palace in the United Kingdom, where it was available for use as part of an exhibition of Cattelan's works.[9] It was placed in a water closet formerly used by Winston Churchill.[10]

Wikinews has related news:

• Arrests made in theft of gold toilet in England

On 14 September, the sculpture was stolen. A representative of Blenheim had earlier commented that because America was plumbed in, and potential thieves would be aware of its use, security was not much of an issue.[11] Because it had been connected to the building's water pipes, the theft caused structural damage and flooding to the World Heritage Site.[12][13] Two men were arrested and released in connection with the incident.[14] Cattelan commented: "I always liked heist movies and finally I'm in one of them."[15]

Blenheim's insurance company has stated that up to approximately $124,000 can be paid in reward for the return of the toilet. In mid-October, three new arrests were made in connection to the theft.[16][17] By November, the total number of arrests was six, all of whom have been released without charge. Speculation about the fate of the toilet includes it being melted down, that it has been hidden fairly close to Blenheim and that the theft is a prank by Cattelan. Local imitations of the work have been made, including one that was itself stolen.[18]