kelvin j. birk collaborates with 50,000 bees for honey jewelry series

a hive of bees craft disintegrating honeycomb jewelry

In an unexpected collaboration, Kelvin J. Birk has harnessed the collective talents of a hive of approximately 50,000 honey bees for his Honeycomb Jewelry collection. An established gold and silversmith, Birk has departed from conventional jewelry design to explore the idea of integrating bees into his craft. Swapping out traditional precious stones for preserved bees and bumblebees cared for by Tue Sando, he presents a series of novel accessories that exude honey and gradually wither away to raise a poignant question: what holds greater value — the bee or the diamond? Undoubtedly, Birk poses, the critical role bees play in sustaining our ecosystem underscores their worth, while diamonds, in comparison, appear dispensable.

all images courtesy of Kelvin J. Birk

kelvin j. birk ponders the intrinsic value of bees

This project puts forward a collection of silver jewelry pieces that were placed within a live bee hive, inviting the industrial insects to participate in Kelvin J. Birk’s artistic expression. The bees, showcasing their innate creativity, wove intricate honeycomb structures around certain sections of the jewelry, each piece taking on a distinct form. Attempting to preserve specific areas, the designer initially applied masking tape, only to witness the bees swiftly remove and discard it. Some portions became infused with honey, while others remained untouched.

When worn, the Honeycomb Jewelry pieces subtly exude honey, with the wax gradually melting away and symbolizing the delicate and precious nature of our environment, and the intrinsic value it places on bees and the natural world at large. This contemplative approach challenges conventional notions of material worth, urging us to reconsider the value attributed to bees in comparison to traditional jewelry materials like gold, silver, diamonds, and precious gemstones. Such inquiries form a common thread across Birk’s artistic portfolio, unveiling the beauty, characteristics, and qualities of these materials, while also highlighting their finite value and inherent fragility.

made in collaboration with a hive of 50,000 honey bees

the bees wove intricate honeycomb structures around certain sections of the jewelry

some portions became infused with honey, while others remained untouched

the project symbolizes the delicate nature of our environment, and the intrinsic value it places on bees

when worn, the Honeycomb Jewelry pieces exude honey, with the wax gradually melting away

project info:

name: Honeycomb Jewelry
designer: Kelvin J. Birk

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edited by: ravail khan | designboom