Artworks

Beauty Queen Vending Machine

Hovnanian’s Beauty Queen Vending Machine installation created in 2009 conflates retailing and beauty competition: the object of this familiar arcade game is to grab a beauty trophy with a tricky, remotely operated mechanical claw. In order to play, you have to pay. The work proposes the notion that the beauty industry is rigged, particularly against women as its primary audience. The viewer, much like the cosmetics buyer, can only guess whether winning is possible.

Beauty Queen Vending Machine, 2009