5kg of notes

Excitement ensues as I await 5kg of shredded cash.

After an email or two to the general enquiry team of the Bank of England I have requested 5kg of shredded notes which as I'm told will be sent to my address. My reasons for wanting shredded money is in order to transform it into something else... following on from my art practice theme. I wanted to use real money but in what sense as I can't bring myself to subvert actual money I could otherwise send as money is very tight for me.

Who knew getting hold of shredded money was going to be this easy... I expected more difficulty!

Why won't I use a £5 note of my own to draw upon, cut or transform? 

There's something damaging or throw away about doing this. I  don't want to part with the cash by literally destroying it but why not? Because I wouldn't necessarily think twice about buying say a sketchbook or art materials for instance but when it comes to transforming it for 'artsake' in this instance I just can't bring myself to do it.

Why does money have this certain worth? Why is it a token to be protected to this extent?

These are all valid points of discussion which have been evoked by my art practice.

Back to the shredded notes...

I'm sure I will find it easier to experiment with shredded notes which are not worth anything than cash from my pocket! I have a few ideas in mind as I await my 5kg of cash but it's frustrating not having it here yet because I have so many areas I want to explore.

I am intrigued to know how my 5kg will appear... will it be sent via Royal Mail. Will I have to sign for it? What packaging will it come in? All these things I am thinking about in my wait. I feel it will make a difference if it turns up in a black bin bag for instance, or with a letter attached or will it be more official?

The wait continues...