Blogerim

Handmade, for our Art Vending Machine

Jens Eisenberg (company Leitwerk) fills our art vending machine.
© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

Anyone who walks through the first floor of our permanent exhibition has inevitably stumbled across our ‘art vending machine.’ The machine almost seems to be whispering, in two languages, “Kauf mich, buy me.” Labels gleam colorfully from the compartments but you won’t notice more than that at first. If you get curious, though, and come closer, you will read the inscription, “Kunst / Art” in big typeface, and along the vending machine’s side, “60 x art by Jewish artists in Berlin.” Now you notice the coin slots, where you can put in your 4 euros.

With the right change in your pocket and a little audacity, you can start the experiment. The coins fall with a clatter into the shaft, you pull the heavy flap up, the compartment opens, and there’s the mysterious package. Since the back side is sheer, you’ll get an idea of your purchase at a glance, either taking an immediate shine to it or becoming disconcerted. The bright packaging is easily removed and now you can examine the object more closely. Inside the transparent bag, you have not only the unique item that you just bought, but also a pink notecard with stories and information about the work of art and the artist who made it. All the pieces in the art vending machine were created by Jewish artists who currently live and work in Berlin.

Every day the exhibition’s technician, from the outside company Leitwerk, checks to see that the vending machine is functioning properly, tightens a screw here or there when necessary, and fills the shelves with new works of art.

A door has been opened and turned to the left so you can see the coin slot mechanism and the way the compartments interlock. A work of art is being placed inside.
© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

The artworks don’t come in that bright packaging: they arrive at the museum in large and small boxes.

A look into a box with works of art by Deborah Wargon
© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

The artworks are then packed together with the pink information notecards, which also need to be folded first.

The artist Claudia Rannow is packaging the works of art for us here.
© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

Tools of the trade: a black stapler, a white folding stick for making perfect folds, and a little box of extra staples.

© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

The edge of the colorful wrapping gets folded back over.
© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

Finally the packaging and the transparent bag get stapled together.
© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

The works of art are ready.
© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

You will find these artworks in our vending machines starting August 2014, all mysteriously wrapped up like this, of course. There will be a total of 1400 pieces made by seven different artists. Let them surprise you: come buy some vending machine art!

© Jewish Museum Berlin, photo: Gelia Eisert

Gelia Eisert, Permanent Exhibition

PS: You can find blog articles about the artists who have already created pieces for the art vending machines here.