Artistic Sustainably

Tucked in a corner at The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento is a clunky old cigarette machine. At first glance the machine looks simply like a rusty piece of history, something that once stood outside of a gas station. Only when one looks closer does it become obvious that the rusty machine is now an example of sustainability and the ability to reuse in a creative way. Instead of pulling the handle and receiving cigarettes, a visitor of the Crocker Art Museum can pull the handle and receive a one of a kind piece of art.

The machine displays twenty-two different artists ranging from photographs to screen prints. After purchasing a token at the gift shop, the visitor takes the token to the machine and is able to choose which medium they want their particular artwork to be in. This interaction makes the cigarette machine not only an example of sustainability, but also an excellent example of interactive artwork.

The shiny knobs and anticipation of what tiny piece will be yours makes this machine hard to resist. By allowing the visitor to physically participate it creates a bond between the artwork and the recipient, that otherwise would not have been created. The cigarette machine turned Art-O-Mat is a great example of how we can use the outdated things around us to create fun interactive designs. By revamping the machine it becomes something new and interesting, rather than outdated and rusty.

Image: Art-O-Mat at the Crocker Art Museum.