The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Vending machine to dispense original artworks for a tenner
PROJECT: Artobotic in Lochgelly will include creations from host of artists – and it’s pot luck which piece of art will drop out
A vending machine that dispenses unique but affordable artwork is to make its Fife debut later this month.
Creations from comedian and poet Phil Jupitus and members of Kelty Street Art Collective will be among the treasures available to the public for just £10.
The only catch is it’s pot luck which piece of art customers will receive for their money.
The Artobotic project, created by Edinburgh artist Denny Hunter, is being brought to the kingdom by Kelty artist Celie Byrne, who has been heavily involved with the street art collective.
Celie said the full list of artists to have contributed to the Fife apparatus will be revealed at its launch in Lochgelly next week.
A similar Artobotic in Edinburgh has included work by Celie’s father, legendary painter and playwright John Byrne, and renowned Methil sculptor David Mach, as well as lesser-known and up-and-coming artists.
Celie was commissioned by St Andrews folk hero Rab Noakes to create the artwork for his landmark 20th album, Welcome to Anniversaryville, to be launched at Lochgelly Centre on Wednesday.
The event will include the unveiling of Artobotic as well as an exhibition of some of Celie’s paintings.
Phil Jupitus, who now lives in Pittenweem, is expected to be at the launch alongside a number of other well-kent Fifers, whose names are being kept under wraps for now.
The box will remain in Lochgelly until Christmas and will be replenished with new artworks when stocks start to run low.
Celie said: “Now that Phil’s a Fifer we thought it our civic duty to welcome him in to the fold.
“Lochgelly Centre couldn’t be a more suitable locale for the Artobotic vending machine.
“It’s a thriving hub of activity with art, theatre and cinema.
“It’s full of kids and the community uses the space for all sorts of stuff, including a visit to the library there.
“Instead of coughing up £10 for some cheap, manufactured plastic toy, your hard-earned tenner will get you an original work of art.”
Denny said his original thinking had been to get the public interested in art by involving them in a game a bit like roulette.
“They insert £10 into the machine and pull the drawer to receive a box with artwork inside,” he said.
“To make this more compelling, I started to contact famous artists to ask them if they would get involved and to my astonishment they were up for it because they liked the idea of democratising art in this way.”
According to Denny, Artobotic has been a rollercoaster ride since its inception in 2016.
“It’s the emerging artists that have really made it what it is – Benjamin Irritant is one of my favourites. He makes incredible collage.
“Ben told me how Artobotic had changed his life.”
Wednesday’s launch will also feature a one-off performance from the original players on Welcome to Anniversaryville and tickets, priced £10, are available from the On Fife website at www.onfife. com.