Project 33 Is Making Alternative, Glass-Blown Coin

Glass artist Marcel Braun is creating an alternative currency from his art. The glass artist based out of Eugene, Oregon created an alternative currently based on “art units” because he was frustrated with the power of the banking industry.  

“The project really hinges on helping people to understand that a small group of people working together to help each other will actually greatly benefit that group of people,” he explained. “What we do is we make these murine, which we call coins. They have a coin-like motif, and our unit of measure is called an art unit which is — each art unit cost $10, so you look at your coin and your coin will say how many art units it is. You multiply by 10 and that gives you your dollar value for that coin.”

Braun teamed up with film director Daniel Collins and, with a crew of glass artists, they’re traveling around the country to premiere the film “Project 33: An Alternative is Possible.” They also do live demonstrations to show off their process, showing attendees everything from drawing the design on paper to placing the letters around the center of the coin. The crew then shows off and sells the finished coins at a glass gallery.