In PAYPHONE (2024), 0xDEAFBEEF considers phone cards as an early form of tokenized communication in relation to contemporary blockchain ledger systems. Phone cards once circulated via an active collectible market, and have even doubled as currency; they employed technologies for loading, tracking, and spending value. PAYPHONE features uniquely generated phone card tokens, which will be updated with sound pieces based on a live call-and-response performance by the artist. An edition of physical telephone tokens, created from hand-forged and laser-cut iron, accompany the work.

0xDEAFBEEF’S call-and-response performance will be live for participation and viewing here: https://payphone.deafbeef.com/.