Derrick, an accessories designer, used the lost-wax casting technique to create necklaces from real honeycombs. (These are called Abandoned Comb Amulets, in reaction to Colony Collapse 
Disorder (CCD), wherein bees mysteriously leave their hives, never to return.) Then he collaborated with a local confectionary to make caramel pyramids in which to house them, surrounded by fluid honey.
"The Abandoned Comb Amulet is defined by a Solomonic dilemma. A choice must be made to forcefully exhume the honey-drenched gold, violently shattering and consuming its casing, or to recognize value in its current form, nurturing a natural deterioration and the gradual revelation of treasure within."
Disorder (CCD), wherein bees mysteriously leave their hives, never to return.) Then he collaborated with a local confectionary to make caramel pyramids in which to house them, surrounded by fluid honey."The Abandoned Comb Amulet is defined by a Solomonic dilemma. A choice must be made to forcefully exhume the honey-drenched gold, violently shattering and consuming its casing, or to recognize value in its current form, nurturing a natural deterioration and the gradual revelation of treasure within."
Interesting metaphor. Do we plunder nature to get at it the gold immediately or let nature take its course? This makes the choice personal, if you ended up with one of the 30 necklaces that were cast. Also love how one's spit has to interact with receiving the treasure: you would have to lick the honey off the pendant to clean it to wear it.The installation of the project featured a living hive from a local beekeeper and a cryptic space with the atmosphere of a Victorian-era cabinet of curiousities...I think it worked less well than other parts of the piece, (with framed pictures on the floor--why? Yet the "Hive Door" at right is...cathedral) but that could be because I'm keen to get away from the old spooky stereotypes around bees that were so prevalent in films from my 70's era childhood. Cabinets of Curiousities are still quite hip right now...but I am still very curious about the two black hooded figures in the "Examination Hive" section.
An exciting piece of art, I find. But also:Proceeds from art sales and donations to "A NEW HIVE" will support research and education focusing on the development of sustainable beekeeping practices as well as the up-keep and foundation of new hives in local gardens." Good on them.
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