Poetry Jukebox

Since 2015, we have been installing "Poesiomats" in cities across the Czech Republic and around the world. These are speaking metal tubes that, when you turn a crank (or press a button on older models), begin to sing, narrate, recite, or produce sounds like water. Their shape resembles a steamship's funnel or a subway exhaust vent, but no two are exactly alike.

The Poesiomat is a symbolic memory of a place. It amplifies the genius loci. It speaks to passersby with the voice of poetry, music, and nature. The Poesiomat doesn’t require electricity; it’s powered by the user. The energy you put in is returned as a moment of connection.

Where can you find one? In more than twenty locations worldwide, from Prague to New York. You can find the complete list of locations on Poesiomat.cz.

Project: Ondřej Kobza, Jitka Tomsová Collaborators: Michal Šanda, Michal Rataj, Michal Kalivoda, Martin Šeda, Rozalie Pánková