You have seen public art, but the Prudential Mall in Boston has a new take on making culture accessible to the masses. The concourse features a Short Story Dispenser where you can select a reading time (1, 3 or 5 minutes) and the machine produces a story for your enjoyment. It’s fast, easy and free!
The one-minute version was about a foot long; the five-minute version ran for about a yard. Both provided interesting little tales that had been translated into English. The strips also included a little “Thank you for visiting Prudential Center” at the bottom and a link to read 80,000 other short stories. What a delightful way to add a bit of serendipity and tactile component to the mall user experience.
When you are thinking about providing art for your space, don’t limit yourself to visual arts. The written word has much to offer, especially if you can be equally creative in how you dispense it to your patrons.
Thanks Meg!