In the exhibition, NEOREST WX – TOTO’s high-end toilet featuring WASHLET for intimate cleansing – is presented in contrast to sanitary objects from the past few centuries. These include the bourdaloue, a porcelain vessel that women used to urinate in public in the 18th and 19th centuries, a commode, bidets and pissoirs. Together, these objects explain the history and the development of this intimate space.

The exhibition shows how the private sphere has emerged and completely evolved over the years. This is shown in works by multiple artists, including French photographer Henri Cartier Bresson, known for his perfectly composed black and white photos, and American photographer Nan Goldin, whose works show the stark directness of intimate moments.

The exhibition also examines societal developments, including how the significance of luxury has changed over time. It explores how innovations have gradually made luxury accessible to the mainstream and continue to do so today. The show also presents the results of scientific research on various topics, including “problematic privacy”, whether in interpersonal relationships, social media or in the handling of personal data.

As a pioneer in the development of modern hygiene technologies, TOTO has not only redefined standards in the bathroom with WASHLET. Over the past 40 years, the company has also shaped how people understand personal privacy and intimacy. This is why the exhibition showcases NEOREST WX as an example of modern privacy.

The blend of functionality and design reflects how intimacy has developed from something purely private to the staging of an aspect of everyday life. The physical experience of privacy isn’t the only thing that changes when someone uses WASHLET. Innovations in bathroom technology along with the over 60 million WASHLET models sold by TOTO world-wide have also done their part in shaping societal norms and aesthetic ideas.

TOTO’s NEOREST WX combines high-quality materials and award-winning design with innovative hygiene technologies. Recipient of the Red Dot Award 2023 and iF Design Award 2023, this model offers a new dimension of intimate hygiene. Integrated Ewater+ technology cleans the wand and ceramic bowl with electrolysed water, minimizing the formation of bacteria to ensure constant cleanliness. NEOREST WX2 also features Actilight technology, which uses photocatalytic processes to break down dirt and waste. Touch-free functionalities elevate the level of comfort for all generations considerably. These include the seat, which raises and lowers automatically, as well as the flush volume, which is based on the amount of time the person uses the toilet. User profiles with individual settings and a remote control in multiple languages make WASHLET incredibly easy to use. A gentle LED light helps people find their way in the dark. In line with the Japanese tradition of striving for perfection, TOTO has united design, comfort, hygiene and user-friendliness in the NEOREST WX model – delivering a wellness experience unlike any other.

Düsseldorf, November 2024
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Note for editorial staff

Since the 2016 renovations, the men’s and women’s bathrooms at the Louvre have been equipped with TOTO toilets, urinals, washbasins and hand dryers.

TOTO, one of the world’s leading sanitary ware companies, has an unwavering focus on people and their well-being. Established in Kitakyushu, Japan in 1917, TOTO has been developing, producing and marketing its comprehensive high-end bathroom concepts for the European market since 2009. The company aims to create a new attitude towards life through regeneration, comfort and hygiene, integrating technologies into their product designs in a smart, nearly invisible way. Japan’s leading manufacturer in the sector, TOTO offers a comprehensive range of products including ceramic sanitary ware, faucets and accessories. The company can now look back on over 40 years of developing and manufacturing WASHLET and has sold over 60 million units worldwide to date. TOTO supports the development of a fully emission-free society and is very committed to sustainability: By joining the RE100 initiative, TOTO Group will convert all of its facilities to power from sustainable energy sources by the year 2040. The company also received certification from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBT) to reduce greenhouse gases in line with the Paris Agreement, and to systematically cut CO₂ emissions further on this basis. TOTO employs 36,000 people world-wide.

Read more about TOTO online: eu.toto.com