Vienna Café’s One-Way Mirror Into Ladies Restroom Causes Controversy

“Experimental Sushi” a Vienna restaurant/gallery has caused controversy by choosing to include an art installation on their premises.

The installation that is causing the issue is called Dots and was created by artist Alexander Riegler and the reason that it is disturbing the diners is because it is actually a one-way mirror that peers into the ladies restroom from the men’s restroom!
Riegler told Radio Wien that the reason he created the installation was to “explore the concept of voyeurism in modern times.” A spokesman for the restaurant said that that 95% of their customers found the installation amusing – though they did not specify what percentage of this 95% were male or female!

Despite the fact that the restaurant has claimed that their customers are looking at the installation rather lightheartedly, someone must have had a problem with it because Vienna Chamber of Commerce chairman William Turecek told the Kurier newspaper that he had received several complaints and was surprised that the restaurant had not already complied with their demands to change the mirror.
City Councilor Sandra Frauenberger also criticized the restaurants decision to introduce such a risqué installation saying, “This really is a form of harassment” and vice chairman of the Consumer Protection Association issued an ominous warning that forced voyeurism could result in the restaurant being shut down!

The restaurant spokesman said that they plan to put up a sign warning women about the one-way mirror (which doesn’t allow men to see into the actual stalls once the doors are closed) to alleviate some of the controversy. They also plan to switch things around in January, putting the one-way mirror looking into the urinals – that’s if they aren’t shut down first!!

So what do you think? Is this interactive art at its best or is it simply a terrible invasion of privacy? Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.

Source: Eater

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