Art-O-Mat
Art-O-Mat is a clever, portable gallery showcasing tiny pieces of artwork in vintage cigarette machines. Founded in 1997 in Winston-Salem by conceptual artist Clark Whittington, the machines were first used to display his own work at a solo art show but soon morphed into a unique, traveling, multi-artist gallery.
The goal of Art-O-Mat is to make art more accessible and the machines (almost 90 of them) are set up at a wide range of venues including the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Bucks County Free Library, not to mention the original, which is still housed at Mary’s Of Course Cafe.
I asked Clark a few questions about the running the company, below.
Tell us more about ArtOMat:
Art-o-mat® has been around for 11 yrs. The project has gone through several phases of growing pains. Many people have purchased art from our machines and many artists have created work to be sold from our machines. So, it is most likely safe to say that there are some fixed opinions of the project. However, everyday…artists make new, different, better art to be sent to our venues. So, the project is constantly changing and I personally feel…towards the better.
How has the project evolved from it’s inception through now?
The original machine quickly went from a “me” to a “we”..and has now multiplied into 85+. The day to day has stabilized and our venues are super. We sell 25,000+ arto pieces per year. But, it is really nice that our artists are receiving valid attention now that the original novelty/irony/sound byte has worn thin. Like…seems like the media would always focus on the “here is an artist from Winston-Salem who converted a cig machine to sell art. Insert bad pun here”. Now, that is the back story and more focus is given to the art proliferation aspect. Participating artists often use their involvement in creative ways that can often lead to valid contacts. Just google or flickr…it is cool to see the blogs/pics that pop up.
What is the craziest item that someone has included? What is your favorite item?
We once had pictures of puke. It was not a big seller. But, there are many faves and it is hard to pick one artist. Dewitt Young is a good one to mention.
How can artists reading this get involved in the project?
Go the website and read the guidelines. We need artists.
What do you like about being an artist in North Carolina?
Well…I have never lived anywhere else. But, even though it can be a less common disposition to find nowadays…I still run into the periodic very mannerly and curious southern person who will not shut down when discussing something as odd as conceptual art. For example, I grew up in Concord, NC surrounded by textile workers. Maybe it was a post ww2 thing…but, they were very resourceful, understood problem solving and enjoyed the conversation/exchange of ideas. I found that if I made an attempt to explain my nonsense…it usually earned their respect. Like…when explaining the original arto in 1997 to a local policeman…he eventually said that my art was “right smart”. To this day, that is the highest compliment my work has ever received as it made a true connection. It is doubtful that snobby art critics use that term. At the end of day…i do not feel that art-o-mat® could have made it outside of NC…as there would have been too many pressures to force the project in directions that would have tanked our mission.
What future projects are on the horizon?
We are working with SECCA during their renovations. That may lead to some fresh presentations locally. Not to jinx things..but, hopefully another Northwest U.S. host will sign on…as well and another international venue. Kicking off our Key West machine in Feb…and doing a workshop/lecture at the Lowe Museum in Miami. Our online store has been up for a year…and the art-o-cartons® (under limited editions) are doing well. Other than that…just taking manageable forward steps.
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To find an Art-O-Mat near you, visit the website where you can search for machines by state and see a list of the artists who have participated.
{images from ArtOMat.org, Shawn Hazen, Aldo Valdes-Bohm & flickr}
I LUV the concept of the Art-O-Mat -it’s genius. I need to get involved.