When it comes to answering the aged old question, “want do you really want?” anyone over the age of nine does not expect to find the answer in a vending machine. But, thanks to Mark Starmach and Elizabeth Commandeur, you can now buy intangible things like Connection, Imagination, Spontaneity, Bravery and Structure for just $2, from a good old chip dispenser in Sydney’s busiest city locations.
The artists set up this installation to challenge Sydney-siders, asking them to question whether money can really solve all their problems. In a city famous for its over priced cocktails and avocado on toast, Sydney has garnered a reputation for being materialistic. Consumerism is at its best in the three installation locations, Martin Place, Pitt Street Mall and Circular Quay. So we are asked to determine if, within this privileged life, we are losing our connectedness, becoming unimaginative, stuck in a routine, cautious and unsure of the future.
Perhaps it’s time to embrace new spaces, adopt workplace attitudes similar to those in Silicon Valley, and start focusing on creating environments that support the positive mental health of employees. Google has nap pods and on campus car rentals, Fitbit has Zumba classes, Dropbox has whiskey Friday’s and Facebook has an in house hair salon and a candy shop. Sydney has potential for great new office spaces and maybe we all need to buy a little bravery and move towards new concepts.
For now, there’s always Twisties and Violet Crumble bars.
You can find the Intangible Goods Vending Machine at Customs House until April 4th and Pitt Street Mall until April 8th.
You can also learn more about the Art and About Festival here
KYMBAL DUNNE 