A Tool to Deceive and Slaughter (2009) - Caleb Larsen, the scuplture at right, is on eBay. The product description is followed by legal terms of the sale. They begin,

A. Artist has created a work of art titled "A Tool to Deceive and Slaughter (2009)" ("the Artwork") which consists of a black box that places itself for sale on the auction website "eBay" (the "Auction Venue") every seven (7) days. The Artwork consists of the combination of the black box or cube, the electronics contained therein, and the concept that such a physical object "sells itself" every week.

B. Collector understands and agrees to the underlying concept and function of the Artwork and that the sale of the Artwork by Artist is dependent and conditioned upon Purchaser's agreement and adherence to the below terms. Such terms are fundamental and crucial to the on-going viability and artistic integrity of the Artwork.
...

1. Collector agrees that the Artwork will remain connected to a live Internet connection at all times, with disconnections allowed only for the transportation of the work from one venue to another.
2. Upon purchasing the Artwork, Collector may establish a new value for the Artwork. The new value may not exceed current market expectations for the Artwork based on the current value of work by the Artist. This value may be reassessed quarterly. ...

Theoretically, one might culture-jam this market by continually moving the box slowly, on foot or by rowboat or mule train to a new venue.

The Artist, Caleb Larsen, wrote, "I am interested in the moments where things don't quite line up," so this should be right up his alley.

Deeper down in the legalese of eBay item 190367275705 end time Jan-28-10 14:39:47 PST is the interesting note,

The software driving the project will remain hosted on servers of the Artist's choosing to aid in maintenance. Artist will supply a copy of the software upon request by either the Collector or any New Collector."

On the Artist's site, the work illuminates us further:

Every ten minutes the black box pings a server on the internet via the ethernet connection to check if it is for sale on the eBay. If its auction has ended or it has sold, it automatically creates a new auction of itself.

(Think of it as a sculpture sentenced to home confinement with an electronic bracelet.)

And the fine print also contains,

In the event of a sale the Collector agrees to pay a sum equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the Appreciated Value (as hereinafter defined), if any, occasioned by such transfer or distribution or payment of insurance proceeds to the Artist (or Artist's agent for the purpose) within thirty days of the sale.

Potential buyers must be willing to take on the treadmill role of unsung eBay seller until they can transfer this hot potato to someone else taken by the concept in an impractical moment. Winning bidders bear the cost of selling possession of the sculpture for the artist, with a commission ensuing on every sale.

Via MeFi, where the hordes are remarkably subdued by this one.