Rory Hooper's 'Chewing Gum Jewelry' collection takes beautifully sculpted gold-plated silver jewelry and squashes it completely flat, making it look like these pieces have been scraped from the bottom of a shoe or a sidewalk.
The pieces of jewelry are items that have been abandoned. Hooper uses the smashing of each piece with a hammer to represent the abstraction of each jewelry piece and by transforming it into a completely new shape, it loses any of its original sentimental value. This seems like a sad notion, but in this process, Hooper honors the jewelry pieces by giving them new life and meaning. Although the collection takes inspiration from an odd source, collectively the jewelry pieces are incredibly beautiful.
Squashed Jewelry Piece Collections
The 'Chewing Gum Jewelry' Series is Hammered Completely Flat
Trend Themes
1. Flattened Jewelry - Opportunity to disrupt the jewelry industry by creating flattened and abstract pieces that challenge traditional notions of beauty.
2. Transformational Abstraction - Innovation potential lies in abstracting objects and transforming them into new shapes to give them a fresh and unexpected purpose.
3. Reimagining Sentimental Value - By redefining the sentimental value of objects through the process of transformation, new markets can be created that cater to those interested in unique and unconventional pieces.
Industry Implications
1. Jewelry - Exploring the possibilities of flattened, abstract, and transformed jewelry pieces that appeal to consumers seeking unconventional designs.
2. Art - Artists and galleries can tap into the trend of transformational abstraction to create unique and thought-provoking art pieces.
3. Fashion - Incorporating flattened and abstract elements into fashion designs can lead to disruptive and avant-garde creations that push the boundaries of traditional fashion.