That was a great sound to start the piece with - it really grabs your attention. Through the various interviews, I think Adam nails the appeal of the Art-O-Mat in a fairly short running time. Well done.
Handsomely constructed and genuinely listenable, this piece reminds us that transformational ideas are still being birthed.
the subject matter of this piece deserves more than a 4-minute treatment... the producer reminds us that art can come in many forms - in fact, the art-o-mat itself manifests one of my favorite definitions of art: taking something ugly and transforming it into something beautiful. It's even better that the creator is from Winston-Salem, wryly underlining the noble impulse to make our psychological environment more human. I'll be looking for them in Portland, OR.
Sure, it's lightweight at some level, and trails off a bit at the end. But what's a world without creative whimsy? And we do get a brief discussion about the value of artistic production and art for the masses.
The reality of this piece is like something out of P.K. Dick story or maybe its all satire or something. Real interesting. I have not noticed any of these machines but perhaps I was writing off the machines in my life as less than artful. Well no, I actualy love popping money in machines with the faith that something interesting will slide down. And the Art-O-Mat would surely deliver. How often do you buy stuff from machines, analog machines that is? Neat use of sound. The how and why of the machines is nice and gets you thinking. Mention of a web site - I will have to check it out just to make sure...
I love the way this piece introduces art-o-mat as a means for people to engage differently in art. I think the ambient sounds work really well. What about following one piece through the artist finding out about the art-o-mat, making a piece, the piece in the machine to an owner? I also really enjoy the interviews with individuals describing their pieces.
How come goosebumpy is not in the list of pull down adjectives for tone? Or exciting? I broke into goosebumps when I listened to this piece. One of those "Ah-Haa" moments. Art dispensed from old cigarette vending machines is such a cool idea. It's along the same line as beautiful sculptures being made from melted down guns. People patronize the arts for that "anything is possible" feeling. The Art-O-Mat puts a new spin on that idea. Good piece.
I love the idea of a vending machine that distributes art! This piece could succeed on that alone - and it does - but the strongest aspect of Adam's story is how easily it transitions between artist and client, paralleling the vending machine's purpose. This piece is classic radio - it makes the listener re-consider a known thing by introducing us to the characters who participate in the re-invention. What's missing? Perhaps more descriptions of the art itself, and another line from the artist who says, "stryofoam art - that's all I do."
This was an intriguing concept that I actually had an interest in prior to hearing this piece. While on a trip to Pittsburgh, I spotted one of these Art-o-mat machines in a coffeehouse on the southside. The idea of taking an old cigarette machine and making it into something more inspiring was fantastic. This piece gives you a bit more insight into the world of Art-o-mat and even speaks with one of the artists selling work through these machines. A great piece to use as an in between segments bit about life in America.
For me, the best part here is the subject - what an idea - art in vending machines... an intriguing metaphor - for instance, is PRX a radio vending machine? Why not - and it too renders something deserving more accessible. The style of this piece is very traditional "track and ac" -but it's well-tracked and well-ac'd. The interviews do their job by making you see the objects, and the situation - and holding your interest.
Comments for Art-O-Mat
Produced by Adam Allington
Other pieces by Adam Allington
Rating Summary
8 comments
Michael Nutt
Posted on February 27, 2005 at 02:36 PM | Permalink
Review of Art-O-Mat
That was a great sound to start the piece with - it really grabs your attention. Through the various interviews, I think Adam nails the appeal of the Art-O-Mat in a fairly short running time. Well done.
Patrik Angstrom Poore
Posted on October 06, 2004 at 07:44 PM | Permalink
Review of Art-O-Mat
Handsomely constructed and genuinely listenable, this piece reminds us that transformational ideas are still being birthed.
the subject matter of this piece deserves more than a 4-minute treatment... the producer reminds us that art can come in many forms - in fact, the art-o-mat itself manifests one of my favorite definitions of art: taking something ugly and transforming it into something beautiful. It's even better that the creator is from Winston-Salem, wryly underlining the noble impulse to make our psychological environment more human. I'll be looking for them in Portland, OR.
Sure, it's lightweight at some level, and trails off a bit at the end. But what's a world without creative whimsy? And we do get a brief discussion about the value of artistic production and art for the masses.
paul cheevers
Posted on September 02, 2004 at 10:43 AM | Permalink
Review of Art-O-Mat
The reality of this piece is like something out of P.K. Dick story or maybe its all satire or something. Real interesting. I have not noticed any of these machines but perhaps I was writing off the machines in my life as less than artful. Well no, I actualy love popping money in machines with the faith that something interesting will slide down. And the Art-O-Mat would surely deliver. How often do you buy stuff from machines, analog machines that is? Neat use of sound. The how and why of the machines is nice and gets you thinking. Mention of a web site - I will have to check it out just to make sure...
[redacted]
Posted on August 17, 2004 at 07:03 PM | Permalink
Review of Art-O-Mat
I love the way this piece introduces art-o-mat as a means for people to engage differently in art. I think the ambient sounds work really well. What about following one piece through the artist finding out about the art-o-mat, making a piece, the piece in the machine to an owner? I also really enjoy the interviews with individuals describing their pieces.
Deborah Astley
Posted on August 13, 2004 at 11:34 AM | Permalink
Review of Art-O-Mat
How come goosebumpy is not in the list of pull down adjectives for tone? Or exciting? I broke into goosebumps when I listened to this piece. One of those "Ah-Haa" moments. Art dispensed from old cigarette vending machines is such a cool idea. It's along the same line as beautiful sculptures being made from melted down guns. People patronize the arts for that "anything is possible" feeling. The Art-O-Mat puts a new spin on that idea. Good piece.
Zachary Barr
Posted on August 13, 2004 at 12:57 AM | Permalink
Review of Art-O-Mat
I love the idea of a vending machine that distributes art! This piece could succeed on that alone - and it does - but the strongest aspect of Adam's story is how easily it transitions between artist and client, paralleling the vending machine's purpose. This piece is classic radio - it makes the listener re-consider a known thing by introducing us to the characters who participate in the re-invention. What's missing? Perhaps more descriptions of the art itself, and another line from the artist who says, "stryofoam art - that's all I do."
Chantale Onesi-Gonzalez
Posted on August 11, 2004 at 05:37 PM | Permalink
Review of Art-O-Mat
This was an intriguing concept that I actually had an interest in prior to hearing this piece. While on a trip to Pittsburgh, I spotted one of these Art-o-mat machines in a coffeehouse on the southside. The idea of taking an old cigarette machine and making it into something more inspiring was fantastic. This piece gives you a bit more insight into the world of Art-o-mat and even speaks with one of the artists selling work through these machines. A great piece to use as an in between segments bit about life in America.
Marjorie Van Halteren
Posted on August 02, 2004 at 01:46 PM | Permalink
Review of Art-O-Mat
For me, the best part here is the subject - what an idea - art in vending machines... an intriguing metaphor - for instance, is PRX a radio vending machine? Why not - and it too renders something deserving more accessible. The style of this piece is very traditional "track and ac" -but it's well-tracked and well-ac'd. The interviews do their job by making you see the objects, and the situation - and holding your interest.