Only
Encouragemint
DIMENSIONS: 23.5(h) x 11(w) x 8.5(d)
MEDIUM: Hand Bedazzled Gumball Machine with Painted Pedestal
YEAR: 2022
What awaits inside this Swarovski hand bedazzled gumball machine is a multitude of plastic, replica mints, βencouraging viewersβ (in both literally and figuratively) to contemplate our pleasure / pain reward system that is indoctrinated from a pre verbal age. Inside the machine, instead of satisfying our cravings with actual mints that promote oral health and proper dental hygiene, we encounter plastic replicas β a commentary that challenges the "American way" of seeking convenient, disposable quick fixes rather than investing in our well-being. Traditionally found in adult-centric establishments such as supermarkets, laundromats, and hardware stores, gumball machines operate on the premise of providing a reward to children in exchange for patience and compliance. By subverting this familiar concept, Simmons prompts viewers to reflect on the underlying messages these machines convey and the larger societal implications they represent.