The how-to guide Foot Baths for All proposes a silent appropriation of urban space: transforming a public fountain into a free foot bath. This self-organized act of care creates an in-between space, opening up new ways of relating to one another, to water and electricity resources, and to the urban environment. Foot Bath Urbanism encourages us to reimage the city as a shared, ongoing, and democratic process.
Look for a public fountain in a busy place.
Choose a spot fit to anchor the shelter.
Listen to the sound of the running water.
Stay with it for a while.
Put on the aprons.
Change your shoes.
Clean the fountain basin and the bench.
Scrub the ground around it.
Search the neighbourhood for electricity.
Plug into a home, a café, or a store.
Lay the cable from the electricity source to the spot.
Tape it to the ground.
Set up the shelter.
Arrange chairs, buckets, towels, and the electric kettle.
Hang the banner.
Foot Baths for All.
Install the water supply.
Let the fountain water reach the shelter.
Boil fountain water in the electric kettle.
Observe the steam rise from the spout.
In each bucket mix:
• hot fountain water
• 1-2 tablespoons of essential oil
• 1-2 tablespoons of coffee cream
• cold fountain water as needed.
Stir gently by hand.
Until it feels right.
Sit down on chairs, or upside down buckets.
Put your feet in the warmth.
Invite strangers to join in.
Share a foot bath together.
Enjoy.
