The world would be a much better place if artist Tom Greaves’ Compliment Machine was installed on street corners from Los Angeles to Beijing.
The Compliment Machine is part of a Washington D.C. art exhibit along 14th Street sponsored by SiteProjects DC. Fifteen other artists have contributed their visions for making Washington D.C. a better place but it is Greaves’ installment that has everyone talking.
The idea of the Compliment Machine is very simple. The five-foot tall box stands on the street corner and dispenses compliments to random passers-by.
“You smell good,” “People are drawn to your positive energy,” and “You are on a constant quest for knowledge” are just some of the fortune cookie-like salutations elicited from the strange box.
People love it, going out of their way for daily doses of self-affirmation and positive motivation. I sure hope some of the local politicians stay far away from this automated sycophant.
(photo: Jay Tamboli, Flickr)