Algorithm: the Singing, Ringing ATM of Venice

Visitors to this year’s La Biennale di Venezia Exhibition are enjoying an unusual piece of art. Algorithm is a spectacular 20 foot tall sculpture which curiously combines a huge pipe organ with an ATM.

That’s right; this is not a misprint, it actually DOES combine a pipe-organ with an ATM. In this sculpture the traditional organ components of keyboard and pedals have been replaced with an ATM keypad, card reader, receipt printer and cash dispenser. 

Visitors can use the ATM in the normal way to make cash withdrawals, account balance enquiries etc, but as they conduct financial transactions, a unique musical piece is generated by pressurised air driven through organ pipes connected to the keypad. 

Algorithm was created by artists Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla in collaboration with composer Jonathan Bailey.  It is part of a collection by Allora and Calzadilla called Gloria, presented by the Indianapolis Museum of Art, which forms this year’s US contribution to the Biennale.  

If you fancy making a cash withdrawal from Algorithm, be prepared for a long queue.  It is proving popular with culture vultures and is experiencing more than 4 times the average daily volume of transactions for an ATM.

The Venice Biennale was founded in 1895; it is one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in the world, and is famous for championing the avant-garde and new artistic trends. This year’s exhibition is taking place in Venice between June 4 and November 27.

Footnote: this piece was also in the running to occupy London’s prestigious Fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.  The plinth stood empty from 1841-1999, but now is used to house a rolling commission of temporary artwork. Algorithm made it to the shortlist but finally lost out to an enormous blue cockerel and a bronze sculpture of a boy on a rocking horse.  The plinth is currently occupied by Nelson's Ship in a Bottle, by Anglo-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare.