~The beginnings of a beautiful art collection~
While it’s certainly not a prestigious Southeby’s auction, art collection has reached new mass appeal only with much less stuffiness and whole lot of quirky fun.
The art collection starts with the conversion of a retired cigarette machine to vend cigarette box sized mini masterpieces. For a little more than pocket change ($5), anyone can begin their own art collection, choosing from a selection of 400 artists representing 10 countries. Local artists are favored in each regional location, and vending machines are placed in average locations like grocery stores to make the art accessible to all.
Most purchases represent the buyers first ever art acquisition and although many purchase are based on simple curiosity, the ripple in the art world is continued by their choices. Kids are especially intrigued by this most unique souvenir that gives them all the satisfaction of a gumball machine with a bit more intellectual punch. My kids felt a particular kinship with their pint sized paintings, as they dropped in their $5 token, pulled back the handle of their choice with gusto, and waited for the satisfactory ‘plunk’ of the box at the bottom.
As soon as they had unwrapped their treasures, they began making plans with what to do with their art. A micro quilt was planned as a blanket for a beloved stuffed toy. One of the boys felt his art was a bit too bland, so he immediately made his own mark on the block with his collection of crayons. Another remarked that the art could be stacked just like blocks, and he would like to collect a few more so he could make a display next to his bed. Those certainly aren’t the kind of things you could do with a priceless Picasso, but that what makes this art collection so fantastic. They are just the right size and price to be interactive and personal. And that’s what most art was meant to be all along.
Check out the Art-o-Mat website to find a location near you. Grab your coin and make your selection, but don’t be surprised if the first pull of the knob isn’t your last.
~Looking for more unique souvenirs? Check out Mold-a-Rama~
Very interesting idea, and great resourcefulness to repurpose an old machine.
Cute idea. Nice to provide another outlet for local artists to get some of their work out there, even if it is just a very small sample. Don't think I could pull on one of those cigarette machines without thinking back to it's original purpose though. I'll bet I could almost feel the ashes in my mind.
What a great idea – Emma would absolutely love to get miniature works of art from a vending machine – perfect collectible!