chewing gum art

Ben Wilson is a London artist who paints on random pieces of chewing gum that have been stomped into the sidewalks. For the last six years he has scoured the streets with one thing in mind – to transform the gum that the everyday folks leave behind in to art. First he finds a piece of gum which is obviously old and has little moisture left inside it. He heats it up with a burner and then lacquers it, which hardens the gum and creates a suitable surface for his acrylic paint. His special treatment ensures that the gum and paint come together in a way which gives his art something approaching permanent street presence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/world/europe/14muswell.html