Toothbrush fence, Roadside art installation in Te Pahu, New Zealand
The Toothbrush Fence stretches along Limeworks Loop Road and displays hundreds of colorful toothbrushes hanging from wire strands across the rural landscape. The installation grows continuously as contributions arrive from visitors and people living far away who mail their brushes to the location.
A local resident started this collection in the 2000s with the idea of recycling old toothbrushes and displaying them publicly. The project grew into a regional attraction that eventually gained wider attention beyond the immediate area.
The fence grew from a local resident's quirky idea to display discarded toothbrushes, transforming into a gathering point where visitors from around the world leave their own brushes. This act of participation connects strangers who share in creating something unexpected and personal together.
Visitors can view the installation from the roadside and take photos without stepping onto private property. Those who want to contribute can mail a toothbrush to the address posted at the fence to add to the ongoing collection.
After a car accident in 2014 damaged the fence, local residents organized spontaneously to restore the installation within a week. This quick community response shows how much this unexpected roadside creation had become important to the people living nearby.
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