Chamber pot
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
| Revision as of 09:11, 20 September 2008 Jahsonic (Talk | contribs) ← Previous diff |
Current revision Jahsonic (Talk | contribs) (Chamberpot moved to Chamber pot) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{Template}} | {{Template}} | ||
| - | '''Mauricio Kagel''' ([[December 24]], [[1931]]–[[September 18]], [[2008]]) was an [[German]]-[[Argentina|Argentine]] [[composer]] who was most famous for his interest in developing the [[theatrical]] side of musical [[performance]]. | + | A '''chamber pot''' (also a john, a '''chamberpot''', a '''thunder pot''', a '''jordan''', a '''po''' (from French ''"pot de chambre"'') or simply a '''potty''') is a bowl-shaped container with a handle kept in the bedroom under a bed or in the cabinet of a [[nightstand]] and generally used as a [[urinal]] at night. In [[Victorian era|Victorian]] times, some chamber pots would be built into a [[cabinet (furniture)|cabinet]] with a closable cover. |
| - | Many of his pieces give specific theatrical instructions to the performers, such as to adopt certain [[facial expression]]s while playing, to make their stage entrances in a particular way, to physically interact with other performers and so on. His work has often been compared to the [[theatre of the absurd]]. | + | Chamber pots, usually ceramic, often had lids. |
| - | ''Staatstheater'' (1971) is probably the piece that most clearly shows his absurdist tendency. It is described as a "[[ballet]] for non-dancers", though in many ways is more like an [[opera]], and the [[musical instrument]]s used include [[chamber pot]]s and [[enema]] equipment. As the work progresses, the piece itself, and opera and ballet in general, becomes the subject matter. Similar is the [[radio play]] ''Ein Aufnahmezustand'' (1969) which is about the incidents surrounding the recording of a radio play. | + | A peculiar form of chamber pot, the ''Bourdaloue'', was designed specifically for females. The oblong rectangle or oval shape of the vessel, sometimes with a higher front enabled the woman to urinate from a squatting or standing posture without much risk of mishap, and also to help deal with the clothing of the day. The name "Bourdaloue" allegedly comes from that of a famous French Catholic priest, [[Louis Bourdaloue]] (1632 - 1704), who delivered such long [[sermon]]s that females of the aristocracy attending them had their maids bring in such pots discreetly under their dresses so that they could urinate without having to leave. However, this explanation is probably a myth. |
| - | Kagel has also made [[film]]s, with ''Ludwig van'' (1970) being one of the best known. In it, a reproduction of [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]]'s composing studio is seen, as part of a fictive visit of the [[Beethoven House]] in [[Bonn]]. Everything in it is papered with sheet music of Beethoven's pieces. The soundtrack of the film is a [[piano]] playing the music as it appears in each shot. Because the music has been wrapped around curves and edges, it is somewhat distorted, but recognisably Beethovenian motifs can still be heard. In other parts, the film contains parodies of radio or TV broadcasts connected with the "Beethoven Year 1770". Kagel later turned the film into a piece of sheet music itself which could be performed in a concert without the film - the score consists of close-ups of various areas of the studio, which are to be interperated by the performing [[pianist]]. | + | Chamber pots remained in common use until the 19th century, when the introduction of inside [[flush toilet|water closet]]s started to displace them. |
| - | Kagel has also written a large number of more conventional, "pure" pieces, including [[orchestral music]], [[chamber music]], and [[film score]]s. Many of these also make references to music of the past. | + | Chamber pots continue in use [[as of 2007|today]] in countries lacking indoor plumbing such as rural areas of [[China]], and have been redesigned as the [[bedpan]] for use with the very ill. |
| - | From 1960 he has taught at the International Summer School at [[Darmstadt]]. | + | In [[North America]], the affectionate term "'''potty'''" is often used when discussing the [[toilet]] with small children - such as during [[potty training]]. It is also usually used to refer to the small, toilet-shaped devices made especially for [[potty training]], which are quite similar to chamber pots. These "potties" are used since it is difficult for children to get up onto the normal toilet; in addition the larger opening in the regular toilet is much too large for a child to sit comfortably over without falling in or some type of aid. |
| - | Among his students have been [[Maria de Alvear]], [[Carola Bauckholt]] and [[Juan Maria Solare]]. | + | ==See also== |
| + | * [[Gazunder]] | ||
| + | * [[History of the toilet]] | ||
| - | Other pieces include ''Con Voce'' [with voice], where a masked trio silently mimes playing instruments. | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Current revision
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
A chamber pot (also a john, a chamberpot, a thunder pot, a jordan, a po (from French "pot de chambre") or simply a potty) is a bowl-shaped container with a handle kept in the bedroom under a bed or in the cabinet of a nightstand and generally used as a urinal at night. In Victorian times, some chamber pots would be built into a cabinet with a closable cover.
Chamber pots, usually ceramic, often had lids.
A peculiar form of chamber pot, the Bourdaloue, was designed specifically for females. The oblong rectangle or oval shape of the vessel, sometimes with a higher front enabled the woman to urinate from a squatting or standing posture without much risk of mishap, and also to help deal with the clothing of the day. The name "Bourdaloue" allegedly comes from that of a famous French Catholic priest, Louis Bourdaloue (1632 - 1704), who delivered such long sermons that females of the aristocracy attending them had their maids bring in such pots discreetly under their dresses so that they could urinate without having to leave. However, this explanation is probably a myth.
Chamber pots remained in common use until the 19th century, when the introduction of inside water closets started to displace them.
Chamber pots continue in use today in countries lacking indoor plumbing such as rural areas of China, and have been redesigned as the bedpan for use with the very ill.
In North America, the affectionate term "potty" is often used when discussing the toilet with small children - such as during potty training. It is also usually used to refer to the small, toilet-shaped devices made especially for potty training, which are quite similar to chamber pots. These "potties" are used since it is difficult for children to get up onto the normal toilet; in addition the larger opening in the regular toilet is much too large for a child to sit comfortably over without falling in or some type of aid.
See also
