New media artist Shane Mecklenburger is auctioning Wealth on eBay. A signed archival certificate of ownership will be delivered to the auction winner. The document will certify singular possession of all forms of wealth, in their entirety. Bidding begins on October 1, and ends October 10.

Wealth As Money is the third in a series of Bay auctions conducted by the artist this year. He sold The Future for $23.50 last February, a work entitled Time As Money. In July, he sold Love for $76.

An excerpt from the item description for Wealth reads:

" The worldwide distribution of this item has been a matter of much concern. In spite of attempts to 'spread' it, the item has only become more concentrated in fewer hands. The seller is interested in bringing this trend to its natural conclusion by concentrating this item into the hands of one person.

" Please note that the material and immaterial nature of this item are often disputed. The form taken by this item is highly subjective, depending mainly on the disposition, values, and aspirations of its owner. Although this item is usually perceived as beneficial, the buyer should beware: in some hands this item has been known to create more problems than it solves. In fact, it has been argued that many who possess this item are less happy than without it.

. . .

" Finally, the buyer should beware that possession of this item rarely, if ever, continues beyond one's demise."

Shane Mecklenburger is currently a graduate student in the Film, Video, and New Media Department at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.