New York Art Department cofounder Arnaud Delecolle is looking for a great deal at “The Art Machine” (photo by twi-ny/mdr)
The Hole store
312 Bowery
Tuesday through Sunday through March 21, free, 12 noon – 7:00
212-466-1100
blog.newyorkartdepartment.org
theholenyc.com
When we first encountered “The Art Machine,” which is now back in New York, taking over the storefront space that used to be the Hole art gallery shop (which itself was a work of art, often redesigned by whichever artist currently had a show next door), cocreator Arnaud Delecolle had just put up a notice on the window saying that it would be open to the public Sunday to Tuesday. When we asked him why such odd dates, suggesting that maybe he actually meant for it to say Tuesday to Sunday, it took him a bit longer to realize he had indeed posted the dates backward. Delecolle and Robert Cristofaro head the New York Art Department, a collective that “represents a network of creative people that deals in authenticity, ingenuity, integrity, honesty and quality of execution.” For “The Art Machine,” NYAD has collaborated with Alife, a self-described “lifestyle concept focused on art and creativity with a strong penchant for originality, even if that means stealing,” enlisting more than fifty artists and culture mavens to contribute small works that can be purchased (not stolen) from a vending machine. Topped by a video directed by Cliff “the Crystal Pharaoh” Cristofaro that gives information about NYAD and Alife, the machine holds seven rows of three objects each, all contained within brown boxes on which a Polaroid of what’s inside has been attached. There is no guarantee that what’s behind a box you’re considering purchasing is the same thing; some of the works are one-of-a-kinds, with something completely different next in line. When we were there, we could have bought Viktor Wynd’s “Chocolate Butt Holes” for $27.44, a JD Samson moustache hair or a bottle of Craig Costello’s “Vintage Krink” for $54.88, one of Gorey’s “Brooklyn Corners” for $164.63, or André’s “Mr. A Square” for $548.75. The revolving series of objects available range from $25 to $1,200 (plus tax) and include pieces by such other artists as Eric Haze, Bast, Dr. Revolt, Evan Gruzis, Friends with You, Ryan McGinness, Shepard Fairey, Karen Black, Kembra Pfhaler, Kenny Scharf, and Hole founder and cocurator Kathy Grayson. You can get a sneak peek at “The Art Machine” through March 21, after which it will take a short break and then reopen on March 31. Not only can you buy something from this “art-o-mat” but you can contribute a work as well by submitting it here.