Anyone who has earnestly attempted to monetize their artistic endeavors should be amused by this installation in the Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. It is a retrofitted cigarette vending machine that dispenses original works of art. The self-contained miniature gallery features the work of at least a dozen artists, and for a few bucks and a pull of a handle you can walk away with a piece of art that fits in your pocket. There are five other similar machines located in the Cosmopolitan and more than 90 machines located throughout the world. These art dispensing machines feature the work of approximately 200 artists. An official website has a map of all the Art-o-mat locations, a store to purchase Art-o-mat swag, and a portal where artists can submit an application to sell their art.
This innovative project was developed by artist Clark Whittington, who started repurposing cigarette vending machines after they were banned in the United States in 2010. In addition to being clever and witty, this work is quite serious and full of meaning. Rather than inviting people into an “art space,” these miniature galleries place art in the path of unsuspecting patrons. The colorful machines intended to attract one’s attention no longer sell an addictive, unhealthy product but rather offer enrichment and inspiration. Although I am quite confident that the machines produced more ROI when they sold tobacco, this idea challenges the experience and expectations that surround art, the artist and the art world.