Intense Extreme Flower Pin

Harriete Estel Berman

Intense-Extreme


San Mateo, CA, United States
2023

Central flower 3.5"x4.5"; edge to edge 5"x6.5"

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Photo credit: Alpa Sheth

These flower pins are a symbol of sustainability & environmental awareness. They are constructed from post-consumer tin & plastic trash from food & product packaging. My commitment to “reuse” consumer waste started from a sense of social responsibility.

These materials from commonplace items reflect two competing principles. Firstly, millions invested in packaging technology; seductive design with jewel-like colors & interesting forms to attract consumers & increase sales with no accountability from the companies for the consumer waste generated.
Secondly, plastic has a serious environmental impact. Less than 10% of plastic waste can be recycled due to its varying chemical compositions. It does not degrade, washes into our water systems, eventually breaking down into micro-particles eaten by fish & animals, contributing to an early death & food chain degradation.
These pins are a symbol of beauty & controversy, portraying the delicate balance between nature & human consumption.

Bio
Harriete Estel Berman uses post-consumer, recycled materials to construct artwork ranging from jewelry, Judaica, sculptures and installations of social commentary. Her work is included in the permanent collections of 16 museums, including the Jewish Museum Berlin on view until 2035. Berman’s artwork and jewelry is featured in over 45 books.

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