If Cinderella had used duct tape to fashion her gown, Clark Whittington began repurposing vintage
she wouldn’t have needed those fairy godmothers, cigarette-vending machines in 1997 to vend art
and two teens in Oklahoma have proved it. For their instead of smokes. Now Art-o-mats are available in
winning entry in the 2004 annual Duck Brand Duct cities all over the United States. At $5 a pop, it can
Tape “Stuck at Prom” Scholarship Contest, high hardly be called a dangerous addiction. And, more
school students Casey Isringhouse and Krystal importantly, it’s a unique transaction: you have an
Long constructed royalty-themed prom wear out original work of art in your hands. But Whittington
of duct tape to win the prize, a $2,500 college is quick to point out “It’s the artists who are doing
scholarship. Interested in entering next year? Read whiz bang work. And many times, it’s the first [art]
the Contest FAQs for tips, such as this: “the entire purchase for the buyer.”
outfit does not have to be 100% duct tape. However... Artists submit their work, Whittington and friends
full duct tape attire [is] a plus.” evaluate it (Is it worth five bucks? Will it fit in a box
—Arwen O’Reilly the size of a cigarette package?), package it, and
supply the far-flung machines. The low price tag
Photograph by Duck brand Duct Tape (Unroll Your Own) and photograph by Clark Whittington (Art-O-Matic Reflex)
>>Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest: erases the elitist associations many people have makezine.com/go/ducktape with art, and the machine, by making explicit the relationship between art and money, pokes fun at more pretentious galleries.
Although the Art-o-mat has in fact led to gallery shows for some of its artists, the machines are doing just fine, thank you. In Chicago alone, there are 3,000 sales a year. Not quite enough to retire on, maybe, but then, that’s not the point: the art is.
—Arwen O’Reilly
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