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Diebold ATM is the centerpiece of international art exhibit

The work of art involves a cash dispenser inside a functioning organ that is nearly 20 feet tall and seven feet wide.

June 1, 2011

A modified Diebold ATM, which plays music when a card is inserted and when money is dispensed, is being featured as a piece of art in the U.S. Pavilion at the 54th International Art Exhibition in Venice, Italy.

The singular work of art, which is titled Algorithm, involves a Diebold Opteva 562 cash dispenser, which is inserted into a functioning organ that is nearly 20 feet tall and seven feet wide. The organ is made of wood and steel. Technicians modified the ATM to use a computer to convert inputs, such as inserting a card, into outputs, which allows the ATM to play the organ pipes. The Diebold 562 is a through-the-wall machine, but in this case it is a through-the-organ ATM.

The ATM interface is completely detached from the banking circuits so the security level is comparable to an ATM installed in a traditional bank.

Different functions, such as withdrawing cash, inserting a card or touching the keypad create a sequence of sounds and melodies chosen by the artists, Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla, who live in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When someone inserts a card, withdraws cash or presses the ATM's keypad, the different functions create a sequence of sounds and melodies chosen by the artists, who are well-known interpreters of contemporary art.

The ATM automatically plays when its built-in sensor detects a customer's presence.

"This is a unique new way of using a single ATM installation to represent areas which are traditionally unrelated, such as art, finance and technology, in one of the most internationally significant venues where contemporary art attracts  thousands of visitors," said Danilo Rivalta, vice president and general manager of Diebold EMEA, southern and central regions.

The initiative involves Banca Nazionale de Lavoro, part of the Banque Nationale de Paris and Paribas Group (BNL-BNPP) and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. State Department, which manages the U.S. Pavilion at the 54th International Art Exhibition, la Biennale di Venezia.

"Diebold and BNL-BNPP are visionary companies," said Lisa Freiman, commission of the U.S. Pavilion. "Early in the development of the U.S. Pavilion exhibition when we were looking for partners to help us realize Algorithm, both Diebold and BNL-BNPP immediately recognized the unique way that they could advance their missions and provide philanthropic support for this important, historic art event. "

Diebold Inc., which is based in North Canton, Ohio, is the world third-largest ATM manufacturer, based on annual shipments.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art asked Allora and Calzadilla to showcase the best American art at Biennale di Venezia, which continues through Nov. 27, 2011. Algorithm is one of six works of art, created specifically for the event, on display at the U.S. Pavilion.

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