London does coffee dates with a twist
As match.com’s “love expert” Vicki Burtt, explained: “More of our members are choosing to go on coffee dates. We wanted to make finding a date as simple as ordering a coffee.
She added that they wanted to encourage “singles to have the confidence to be bold and put themselves out there in a way they hadn’t before”.
Hence, those who didn’t fancy any of the bachelors and bachelorettes who had been pre-selected for printing by match.com could get their own face printed on a drink — by ordering a “Selfee”, of course — and simply hand it to someone they liked the look of.
The unusual profile pics were made by a printing machine, called Ripples, that creates tiny ripples in the foam, using a blend of 3D and inkjet printing technology.
For those who fancy art over romance, a different pop-up in the same area might be more your style.
The Vending Machine Art Gallery wants to make art more accessible by hanging it in pubs and selling it through vending machines.
Running until February 8, a showcase of the project is on at the Hoxton Bar and Grill in Shoreditch, displaying works by 35 emerging artists, including designer Sam Cotton, illustrator Hatch and graffiti artist Crok — and the option to buy prints.
Patrons who like what they see hanging in the pub must simply note the code of the work, then head to the vending machine in the corner.
Once paid, rolled-up prints of the artworks — averaging £20 — are then dispensed from the machine.