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VERNACULAR PHOTOGRAPHY & ARTIFACTS
A DIVISION OF A&A STUDIOS, INCORPORATED
LYONS, ILLINOIS USA

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THE SNAPSHOT VENDING MACHINES | BY ANTHONY VIZZARI

INTERPRETING THE MACHINE:

The “Snapshot Vending Machine” project was conceived by Anthony Vizzari as a simple means to rehome orphaned photographs. Long forgotten, lost, misplaced and detached, these snapshots document personal histories once held intimate.  --Birthday cake, a first dance, kisses on the cheek, the bride’s veil, new cars, his big catch, smudged lipstick outlines, a husband overseas... Dog-eared and creased at the back of a closet, the history of photography is a mundane stack of poorly composed images covered in dust. As lineage and inheritance go astray, flea market hawkers and estate sale brokers peddle these images as ancient relics. Jumbled in half-crushed boxes, they are silently stripped of original narrative. Even so, voices of the past etched their breath forever in silver, screaming to be heard. This is where we find the real history of photography, via the fingers of the collector; the archivist. Found, resurrected and newly revered, these photographic artifacts showcase the vernacular experience, highlighting real human moments. With the photographers forever anonymous, we are left to dwell vicariously through their vacated shadow.

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HOW IT WORKS:

Photographs for the Snapshot Vending Machine project are collected from estate sales, auctions, and flea markets. Each photograph is then enclosed in a cardboard sleeve and stacked within the machine in bulk. Patrons purchase these photographs by inserting $0.50 (two quarters). Then, they pull the vending slide and are presented with one random photograph from the machine stacks. All photographs are original period pieces, ranging from early 1900 albumin and silver, to late 1990’s c-prints. Photographers, names, exact dates and locations are mostly unmarked and left unknown. 100% of proceeds are donated to charity. Each venue that hosts the Snapshot Vending Machine may select a charitable organization of their choice. In addition, Anthony Vizzari via his NFP organization will match the proceeds 1:1, increasing the donation. Previous partner venues and charitable organizations include: Catherine Edelman Gallery / Case Art, Reuse Depot / Opportunity Knocks, and Billy’s Corgans “Madame ZuZu’s" / PAWS Chicago.

Dimensions: L18” x W16“ x H45”  (freestanding)   |  L14” x W14“ x H20”  (table-top or wall mounted)

ABOUT:

Anthony Vizzari is an artist, antiquarian, and collector with a traditional architectural education. Anthony received his BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Masters of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. Anthony is also the founder of the Museum of Mourning Photography & Memorial Practice (MoMP). In 2007, Vizzari established A&A Studios, Inc., a multifaceted creative studio. He is an active contributor to the vernacular photographic community, helping to preserve the legacy of analog photography. When not wrenching on photobooths or managing studio projects, Anthony spends his time acquiring new items for his collections of books, photographs, prints, and miscellaneous items of intrigue.

Interested in having a Snapshot Vending Machine at your venue? Contact us for more information. 

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The Snapshot Vending Machine at Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, Illinois. (Charitable Partner: Case Art Fund)

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The Snapshot Vending Machine at Reuse Depot, Maywood, Illinois. (Charitable Partner: Opportunity Knocks)

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Example of stamped photos from the machine (backside)

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@ Madame ZuZu's, Highland Park, Illinois.

(Charitable Partner: PAWS Chicago)

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THE SNAPSHOT VENDING COMPANY  | All Rights Reserved | A DIVISION OF A&A STUDIOS, INC 

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