BENGEMS – JEWELERY FOR EMERGENCY

The paper illustrates the first resultsof the “BENGEMS” Research Projectin the current relationship betweenClimate Change and Cultural Heritage.BENGEMS describes new generationforms and materials in relation toproduction realities and local traditionsto study original products on thetheme of preciousness (ecodesign)using processing waste materialssimultaneously with the most innovativemultimedia forms of digitaldiffusion, focused on the study of theintangible values of the jewel product,as a vehicle of communication of localidentities, cultures, myths and ritualsassociated with it, as well as its symbolicvalues, often bearers of ethicalvalues. The “BENGEMS” research incompliance with the “DNSH”, in accordancewith the art. 17 of Regulation(EU) 2020/852, and the relevant EUand national environmental legislation,intends to enhance the naturalresources of the Mediterranean area,designing and creating multisensoryjewels. These gems, in addition toreflecting the mineral characteristicsof the area, can contain and possiblyrelease a series of trace elementswhich would bring beneficial effectsto man. Since gems are resources ofMother Earth, unfortunately they canbe affected by environmental pollutionby absorbing heavy metals presentin the soil and in the air, but they canalso absorb precious minerals for human health. BENGEMS also deals with the specific theme of the social emergency with the aim of promoting, thanks to the planning force of jewelery design, adequate, effective and coherent solutions in particular and difficult social contexts. The case study is represented by the jewels for peace designed by students in Design UniPG, in Planet Life Design UniPG and the ‘Jewel Design’ course of the University of Campania Vanvitelli. The jewels will be made by non-profit “Il Nodo” with young Cambodians, using local materials and resources.