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Art-O-Mat, Baby!!

How often have you had that experience when you’re hanging out with friends and you’re suddenly hit with an uncontrollable craving for some art, baby, but as luck would have it, there’s none to be found? Well don’t you fret no more, daddy-o, ‘cuz there be Art-O-Mat to curb those creative cravings!

Dig this!
Art-o-mat machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art. There are 82 active machines in various locations throughout the country. Since 1997, Art-O-Mat has been vending out art and culture for all you hip cats, and I didn’t even know! Check out all the crazy cool machines which supply art, and see if there’s an Art-O-Mat near you. Take a gander at the contributing artists, and the best part, submit your own art, and be a part of the Art-O-Mat groove!

Thanks to Magnificent Octopus, who bought herself some art at the Art-O-Mat at Casa del Popolo in Montreal. Sure hope I can find one here in Toronto!

  • http://educatedmetalhead.blogspot.com/ danO

    from what i understand, the inventor of the Art-O-Mat is also the creator of the pseudo japanese monster wrestling phenomenon “KAIJU Big Battel”

  • http://educatedmetalhead.blogspot.com/ danO

    from what i understand, the inventor of the Art-O-Mat is also the creator of the pseudo japanese monster wrestling phenomenon “KAIJU Big Battel”

  • http://www.smidigt.se/art-o-mat/1463/ Art-O-Mat | smidigt.se

    [...] Via Drawn. [...]

  • http://swansoup.blogspot.com/ Angel Devil

    There is one at the Utrect Art Supply store on 4th Ave for all you NYC artsy types. It has been there for years and is the only one I’ve come accross until this blogg entry! I did not realize there are more of them. Cool!

  • http://swansoup.blogspot.com/ Angel Devil

    There is one at the Utrect Art Supply store on 4th Ave for all you NYC artsy types. It has been there for years and is the only one I’ve come accross until this blogg entry! I did not realize there are more of them. Cool!

  • http://troglodytemignon.wordpress.com/ troglodyte mignon

    art as sold commodity inside junk machines, way to go

  • http://troglodytemignon.wordpress.com troglodyte mignon

    art as sold commodity inside junk machines, way to go

  • Papilionoidea

    troglodyte mignon: Well, it beats used panties. And hell, why not? Art is an subjective experience, for some this is art … others not. *wanders of to consider panties as a possible artform*

    I like the look of the vending machins

  • Papilionoidea

    troglodyte mignon: Well, it beats used panties. And hell, why not? Art is an subjective experience, for some this is art … others not. *wanders of to consider panties as a possible artform*

    I like the look of the vending machins

  • http://stormsillustration.com/ Patricia

    Well it’s troglodyte’s choice to view it from a negative position. I think it’s a fabulous idea. The machines have been updated, so they look brand new, but still have that old feel to them. It’s another wonderful new way to share one’s creative perspective. And quite frankly, a lot of the art that we showcase here is commercial art, anyway. How is this so different from that? It’s just presented in a different format, that’s all. Commercial or not, in the end, it is still art.

  • http://stormsillustration.com Patricia

    Well it’s troglodyte’s choice to view it from a negative position. I think it’s a fabulous idea. The machines have been updated, so they look brand new, but still have that old feel to them. It’s another wonderful new way to share one’s creative perspective. And quite frankly, a lot of the art that we showcase here is commercial art, anyway. How is this so different from that? It’s just presented in a different format, that’s all. Commercial or not, in the end, it is still art.

  • http://stormsillustration.com/ Patricia

    And one more thing… how is showcasing one’s work in a vending machine so different from showcasing one’s work online? It’s just another type of machine, a conduit through which you can express yourself creativly, correct? We all have to pay a certain fee in order to have internet, and some of us pay to have blogs, right? I notice that you have your work displayed on a blog, trog. Just food for thought….

  • http://stormsillustration.com Patricia

    And one more thing… how is showcasing one’s work in a vending machine so different from showcasing one’s work online? It’s just another type of machine, a conduit through which you can express yourself creativly, correct? We all have to pay a certain fee in order to have internet, and some of us pay to have blogs, right? I notice that you have your work displayed on a blog, trog. Just food for thought….

  • Tony Iommi

    I will only sell my soul to rock n’roll.

  • Tony Iommi

    I will only sell my soul to rock n’roll.

  • essrog

    I’m pretty certain there is one on the basement level (where the shop and the cafe is) of the Whitney Museum here in NYC

  • essrog

    I’m pretty certain there is one on the basement level (where the shop and the cafe is) of the Whitney Museum here in NYC

  • http://www.mrblank.net/ MrBlank

    I find galleries to be similar to junk machines that sell art, but that’s just me.

  • http://www.mrblank.net MrBlank

    I find galleries to be similar to junk machines that sell art, but that’s just me.

  • http://www.artagogo.com/blog/ Art a GoGo

    We interview Clark Whittington, the founder of Art-o-mat on Art a GoGo podcast #28. We originally saw an article about Art-o-mat in Art News, and were really intrigued by the idea. Clark is a really nice guy and we had a lot fun talking to him.

    Link to interview: http://libsyn.com/media/artagogo/AAG_2006-06-18.mp3

  • http://www.artagogo.com/blog/ Art a GoGo

    We interview Clark Whittington, the founder of Art-o-mat on Art a GoGo podcast #28. We originally saw an article about Art-o-mat in Art News, and were really intrigued by the idea. Clark is a really nice guy and we had a lot fun talking to him.

    Link to interview: http://libsyn.com/media/artagogo/AAG_2006-06-18.mp3

  • Snow Blower

    The machine at Casa Del Popolo is not an Artomat. It is called a “Distroboto” and was created by a man named Louie who came to Winston-Salem, saw the artomat in a local cafe, went home and copied the idea.

  • Snow Blower

    The machine at Casa Del Popolo is not an Artomat. It is called a “Distroboto” and was created by a man named Louie who came to Winston-Salem, saw the artomat in a local cafe, went home and copied the idea.