From trash to treasure : using chewing gum as a medium in jewellery design
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2020
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Abstract
"Chewing gum is a product almost everyone, no matter their age, status, or class, is familiar with. Studies have shown that humans have been chewing natural pulp, similar to chewing gum, for about 9000 years. Therefore, a long history comes from many different communities. However, in the second half of the 20th century, natural chewing gum from pulp was replaced almost entirely by synthetic plastic gum base, creating environmental problems, as plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose. In a study from 2015, chewing gum is the second most common litter after cigarette buds. Chewing gum is a product that is consumed for a very short period, compared to its long-lasting future life. This essay discusses, among other things, chewing gum's history, material, possible further usage, conceptual art, and jewellery. The thesis' literature review will combine anthropologist Mary Douglas's ideas in the book Purity and Danger, philosopher Pravu Mazumdar's theories on jewellery and identity, and Sara Ahmed's theory 'The uses of use'. Julia Kristeva's theory about the 'Abject', presented in her book 'Powers of Horror', is also used, and last but not least, is the theoretical base in Friedrich Schiller's art philosophy about the importance of aesthetic upbringing which he explains in 'Über die ästhetische Erziehung des Menschen'. In researching this thesis, qualitative data will be collected in the form of three deep interviews. Obviously, chewing gum has its place in modern culture, it is mass-produced, and people generally buy it. However, in this study, its role in our society is questioned. Is it possible to expand its material further? The argument is political, ecological, and social. Here, the importance and usage of chewing gum is questioned entirely, and how one can apply recycling ideology in relation to artistic strategies through an experimental design process. The paper aims to answer this main question: is it possible to take something that is generally considered disgusting waste and transform it in a way that makes it beautiful and desirable?"