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Art*o*mats: art habit is hard to kick
By Jane Bianchi
Old Gold and Black Reviewer

What do cigarettes and burgeoning artists have in common?

Local artist Clark Whittington has answered that question in an intriguing way by developing what he has dubbed the Art*o*mat, a unique medium that is turning everyday people into art consumers.

By soliciting work from artists that is the exact size and shape of a pack of cigarettes, he has created a new type of vending machine that makes art not only accessible, but also affordable. For five dollars or less, anyone can purchase a painted block of wood, stained glass or a pack of poems by simply inserting money and pulling a lever.

"The main goal is to create an outlet for artists to show work," Whittington said, "because there aren’t many places that showcase real art these days. We want to create a network, to have a machine where hand-made art can be bought in strategic, high-traffic locations. Because of the Art*o*mat, pieces of art are being carried around the world. The point is to expose people to living art, so they don’t buy a poster."

On each art package within the Art*o*mat the artists have the option to include information on how to contact them. If buyers truly love the artwork, they can e-mail or call the actual artist to request more art.

"The thrill for me is knowing that for many artists it is their first sell, and for many buyers, it is their first buy," Whittington said.

Whittington explained that his being an artist has added credibility to the venture.

"It takes a unique person to buy into the project," he said. "Some artists were originally turned off because it looked like a rip off. But then they realized it is not about money, it’s about experience and exposure. It does have to be run with business in mind, but I like to think of it as art installation. When it becomes too commercial it starts to suffer."

The idea was born from the unusual behavior of one of Whittington’s friends, what the artist calls a "Pavlovian response." Whenever his friend heard someone near him unwrapping the cellophane of a vended snack, he would have an irrepressible urge to buy his own vended snack. This was just the inspiration Whittington needed to launch himself as an artistic entrepreneur.

The Art*o*mats first emerged in Winston Salem. In1997, Whittington was scheduled to have an art show at a coffee shop called Penny Universitie on Brookstown Avenue.

Before the show began, a friend of Whittington’s, Red Maxwell, was looking through his sketchbook. Maxwell noticed a particular drawing of a peculiar vending machine and decided to take initiative. He tracked down an old cigarette machine that the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was no longer using and convinced Whittington to use it to sell his black and white photos for one dollar each.

The very first Art*o*mat was supposed to be dismantled, but owner of the Penny Universitie, Cynthia Giles, loved it so much that she refused to let it go. The original coffee shop, now called Mary’s Of Course Café, supports the arts by showcasing paintings from a different local artist each month.

Owner Mary Haglund inherited the machine about two-and-a-half years ago and spoke about its effect on customers.

"Many people think it’s a cigarette machine when they first come in, but when we explain it to them, they really get a kick out of it," she said. "I’ve been to Clark’s house and have hand-picked art in particular that I believe my clients will enjoy."

To continue developing and expanding this concept, Cynthia Giles introduced Whittington to artist George Doles III. Through Doles, Whittington was able to salvage more cigarette machines for refurbishing and also meet more artists. Whittington and Doles combined to begin an organization to sponsor their work called Artists in Cellophane, or A.I.C., described by Whittington as "an attempt to repackage art."

One advantage of this is increased accessibility. "We want to make people more aware and not to be afraid of it. The idea is to get art into people’s hands," Whittington said.

Over 230 artists from eight different countries contribute a wide variety of art to choose from. Prospective artists may submit prototypes to be reviewed by A.I.C. by adhering to the guidelines posted on Whittington’s Web site, Artomat.org.

"Word of mouth and the use of Web sites have moved the project forward. I’m hoping to get maybe ten more by next year," Whittington said. "We’ve spoken with five different countries and we’re trying to get a machine in London."

Since cigarette machines were banned from many locations in 1996, Whittington has found a cunning way to recycle by rescuing many of these machines from landfills all over the country.

With 39 machines now installed in 12 different states, Whittington’s Art*o*mats are in high demand.

From Diverseworks in Texas and the Museum of Contemporary Art in California to the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, Art*o*mats are gaining popularity all over the nation. Whittington is currently a freelance artist, but plans to work full time on the Art*o*mats soon.

Whittington’s brainchild also works to the advantage of the artist.

The artist not only takes 50 percent of the profit (splitting it with the company and the art center or museum that hosts the machine), but also gets his or her name out into the public.

Whittington’s Art*o*mat’s help satisfy the childlike urge to pull a lever and get a prize.

The only difference is that the product you receive is not a flimsy, plastic bracelet or a stale jellybean, but a one-of-a-kind work of art – a lot healthier than a pack of cigarettes.