Major Appeal
DIMENSIONS: 18(h) x 5.4(w) x 5.4(d)
MEDIUM: Hand Bedazzled Gumball Machine with Painted Pedestal
YEAR: 2022
Well, that’s bananas…a gumball machine hand-bedazzled with an array of sparkling Swarovski gemstones in hues of electric yellow that both dazzle and delight. Instead of traditional gumballs, this machine contains miniature plastic banana bunches, evoking a sense of joy and playfulness. The machine sits atop a lime green base, with hand painted bananas and the text “Major Appeal.” With this juxtaposition, Simmons drives at something deeper. The art (or absurdity) that can be found in everyday items, with a nod to artist Maurizio Cattelan, whose banana pinned to the wall with gray duct tape sold for over $120,000 at Miami Basel. Simmons invites viewers to pause and question not only the age-old idea of “what is art”, but also who defines the “appeal” of what (by many measures) can be considered subjective depending on perception.