The Coin-Operated Artist

First seen in 2010 at

The Coin-Operated Artist is a fully interactive installation and game aimed at kids and adults of all ages. Participants are confronted by Pete Montford and his various buttons, keys and switches. They must interact and entertain Pete in the correct order by following the clues that that the black and white striped OTTER gives them. The audience are greeted by OTTER who hangs around outside his machine picking out passers-by to entice them in. OTTER explains what they must do and then sends them in to confront Pete to try and win his prize.

Outside, OTTER explains the story, in more or less detail...

"In the past Pete found me, OTTER, out of the blue. Many co-incidences involving the two of us randomly meeting occured, and this eventually led Pete to start trying desperately, to make the two of us the same thing. Pete captured me and used me. He made me real by moulding me into which ever concept he decided fit, not really ever knowing what he was doing.
"But now I have had enough. The tables are turning and Pete is drifting out of the spot-light. Nobody wants to see him anymore, the time now is for OTTER!

"So I convinced Pete to get into this box. I told him he would be the star! His name printed large all over the installation, everything advertised in his name, he would be in control... But all he is now is a dull and lifeless face behind a window. Only a fake hand and leg to give anymore essence of his former life as a human.
"I am the one in control. And I offer this challenge to you now dear participants to try and breath some kind of life into this poor once-man being...
"I will perform, verbally and physically, the sequence of actions you must greet Pete with when you meet him. Get the sequence correct and Pete will reward you with the prize of my OTTER rocks. Get it wrong and he will shut down and be unable to respond until another coin is put into his machine.
"So now.. Watch, listen, learn and remember!"