When I was sent to Neighborhood Court for moving a barricade, I was required to write 5 ideas for “street beautification” and I doubt anyone read it, but I wrote “put vending machines on the sidewalk”. Finally (for one night) I put a vending machine outside and it was incredible
It was part of a renegade art show, but before the project opened, even on a rainy night, 80% of strangers walking by paused in delight, took videos, and asked if they could buy things. Some people bought "mystery snacks" for $1
We eventually filled the machine with @fulligin's magic portraits! We cozied up a city bench with pillows and a lamp to entice people to sit. Vincent built a secret rig to take beautiful pics of them. A note on the bench said to "find yourself" at a particular intersection
@fulligin If they walked to the intersection, their bench picture mysteriously appeared inside the vending machine and they could buy it for 25 cents. People were so delighted to see their photos drop down!
@fulligin And then once they saw their photos close up, they were delighted again!
@fulligin So many of @fulligin's photos were accidental renaissance
@fulligin Since this was a public project, a lot of people had no idea what was going on with the photos, but still asked if they could use the vending machine. And after closing it down for the night, I was reminded it's sad we don't really have vending machines in SF.
@fulligin Vending machines are mostly absent from public spaces in the US, but it would be amazing if it were a normal part of our city and you could find toothpaste, socks, chips, juice, batteries, or surprises 24/7 around town
@fulligin SF should do a vacant to vibrant program but for vending machines and see what happens