Winston salem is the home of art o mat and i worked with clark among a few.
Clark whittington art o mat.
When whittington s friend heard someone opening a snack he had the uncontrollable urge to have one too.
Things seem to reinvent themselves when artists become involved he says.
Includes introduction history images of the machines and samples of the artists work.
Art o mat by clark whittington view all 18 photos.
Art o mat machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art.
Clark whittington second from right mingles with artists and guests at a small reception before the opening at secca of a show celebrating the 20th anniversary of art o mat in 2017.
Back in 1997 i refurbished.
Instead of dispensing their usual product vintage cigarette machines are refurbished to distribute little packs of art and without the health risk.
The inspiration for art o mat came to whittington while observing a friend who had a pavlovian reaction to the crinkle of cellophane.
Clark whittington creator of the art o mat.
Started in 1997 by clark whittington of artists in cellophane in north carolina art o mat machines sell small works of art from retired and converted cigarette vending machines.
Each machine is beautifully customized often in a retro design and carries art from one of their many contributing artists there are over 100 art o mat locations around the world mainly in the united states.
Originally a singular.
Inventory changes regularly so check back often.
Project of artists in cellophane in which retired cigarette vending machines are used to dispense art.
The art o mat was invented in 1997 by artist clark whittington and they first came to chandler in 2009.
Clark whittington is inviting the world to be a part of the growing art o mat family of artists hosts and collectors with over 170 machines across the united states as well as canada australia and austria.
Vision gallery is a proud member of the city of chandler s cultural development department.
Clark a conceptual artist who has found a way to vend art and develop new audiences for artists and makers purchased his first defunct vending machine more than 20 years ago with a vision.
Clark whittington deserves a medal or some such high honor for his unique ongoing contribution to winston salem s art scene.
I first met clark as a sophomore in undergrad at salem college in winston salem nc.
At 5 a pack art is a now an easy access commodity that can be purchased through a simple visit to the art o mat.
