In a world where we can have almost anything on demand, Fine Art is something still out of reach for many people. That is why I’ve been fascinated by so-called “Art Vending Machines”, but had yet to see one in person. So when I heard about Blue Chipped an exhibit at Understudy in Downtown Denver, I had to check it out.

Nestled in a small space in the Colorado Convention Center, Understudy if a blank canvas. Originally this 700 square foot area was planned to be yet another storefront, but a tenant didn’t materialize. So instead the Colorado Convention Center partnered with Denver Arts & Venues, Centerplate, SMG, and the Denver Theatre District to create this unique space. It has been used as a mini-popup record store, for small concerts (like really small), and for Dream Discussions & Deliveries. But this month it is hosting Blue Chipped an Art Vending Machine in conjunction with local artist Jonathan Saiz. More information about the exhibit from the Understudy website:

The expensive, investment-oriented “Blue Chip” art market uses the emotional concepts of rarity, VIP treatment, exclusivity and celebrity to transform physical artworks, big and small, into billions of dollars- often stripping the artwork itself of its intimate emotional energy.

The “Blue Chipped” public Understudy installation is a response to that concept of “art as rarified investment” – It is a direct-to-public kiosk operated by artist Jonathan Saiz where hundreds of tiny, original oil paintings are displayed for inexpensive sale. The subject matter of the miniature paintings is whimsically random, from portraits of celebrities, micro-reproductions of famous artworks, words, shapes and even abstract brushwork – the only thing they all have in common is the color blue.

The “value” of the works is measured in the expression of trust between the artist and the unseen buyers as the $20 price for each painting is not paid in a normal transactional exchange: The buyer takes the painting with them, and leaves only their handwritten email address – at a later date, the artist sends an email with quick and easy payment options, (including PayPal, Venmo or the option to mail a $20 bill in a birthday card signed “happy birthday, love grandma”).

The real question here is not whether the art holds any inherent physical value but if the trust-based transaction activates the artwork with more emotional energy based on the buyers choice to pay, to conveniently forget or to willfully steal.

I find this concept really interesting. Fine Art at a good price point that anyone could pay, but payment organized later so there is a trust element. A variety of different styles and subjects, but everything created with the color blue. All while the artist is sitting within the six-sided cube making more art, and you can connect and talk with him directly.

So yesterday I made the trek up to see it for myself. I arrived shortly after it opened, and I found a gaggle of reporters talking about the space. I was fine with that, it gave me time to wander the size sides trying to choose. The cube was made of reflective blue coating, and each wall had a plexiglass hatch that opened to reveal an ornate display with a small piece of art in the center. It took me a while to pick which piece spoke to me, and I decided on a partial portrait. I signed my email on a blue post it, and did the swap.

I showed my co-workers my art when I returned and managed to convince them to check it out at our lunch break. Again we headed out there. All of the art that had been there before had been sold, and a new set of 8 pieces were being displayed. I really wanted a piece that had multiple layers of paint, but a blue scrab also caught my eye. (And I regret not getting it, it was so beautiful!)

But I once again put my email on the post it, and took an abstract painting. A co-worker did the same for a painting of a bird. While we looked around, we could see Saiz working away within the cube. He happily invited us to a little party (with lots of blue candy) he was throwing there later that evening. After thanking him we set off again.

If you go:

Understudy is nestled between Stout Street and Which Wich. The Blue Chipped exhibit is open from Dec 5 – 24th from 10 am – 10 pm. Each painting is $20 and you’ll be emailed how to make payment later.

For more information check out the official website, the Instagram, or this great article that inspired me to go.

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