I start with creating a commodity. I cast pewter beans from the pattern I made using the seven bean soup mix from Publix. Using this mixture of bean shapes and forms leads to some variety in the dimensions and weight of the castings. I finish the castings by smoothing and polishing them to a bright finish.

For each bean I make a two-part transaction form goes with it. Anytime the bean(s) are exchanged for another commodity, a trade form must be completed to authenticate the transaction. Provenance is established by mailing the the form to my PO Box. I then catalogue these trades and exhibit them as artworks.

As the originator of the magic bean castings and the trade forms, I feel that the project gains traction only through the velocity and persistence of exchange. I have utilized my closest friends and colleagues to help me get the magic beans into circulation. It is my hope that they may attain a common value.

The yellow trade form that I receive is the only direct benefit that receive from this project. They are the artwork that I will exhibit along with newly minted magic bean trading kits available for purchase or exchange. The yellow forms are only a carbon duplicate of the original. In my opinion, this places the bulk of rewards with the participant of this project. As a reward they retain the rights to the original copy of their trade document and the material good with which it is associated with. Any transactions that I complete myself are only meant to be useful as examples. In my opinion, the true value comes from the frequency of the genuine interactions by my collaborators.

This project is ongoing. To get involved