Mies Barcelona Couch Fantasy
By Jane T ~ December 27th, 2009. Filed under: Décor.
Created in 1930 by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886-1969) the couch [above] is part of a collection which includes a lounge chair, stool and table. The pieces were named for the Barcelona Pavilion building van der Rohe designed for the 1929 International Exposition (World’s Fair) in Barcelona, Spain.
The couch (which some call a daybed) is still produced today by Knoll in accordance with Mies’ original specifications and his signature is stamped into the frame of each piece.
This version [above and below] looks like an original, but beware — this couch is not for sitting.
Last month, artist Leandro Erlich, in collaboration with New York pastry chef Guido Mogni, presented an edible version of the Mies sofa for an art museum event called “A Tasting of Cakes Designed by Artists”.
Beneath the thick layer of chocolate upholstery was a layer cake flavored with cream, coffee and liquor. The pillow was fashioned from angel food cake.
Which version would you prefer to have?
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December 27th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
The cake makes me salivate but the original is much less fattening…I’ll take the latter!
December 27th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
This is amazing!!! It really looks like real leather!
December 27th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Without hesitation, the second! But a smaller version as I’d be afraid to freeze it. Actually, I’d need to pair that with a freezer unit to go, also
Yum, that cake sounds devine.
Now, mine will be special order, with a rich dark ganache, instead. Artists! I don’t care if it damages the leather
December 27th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Oh my! I can’t believe it’s a cake. It looks so real!! Thanks for sharing! Happy New Year!
December 27th, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Wow ! This looks incredible! So realistic.
December 28th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Oh, that is ridiculous! Absolutely, simply and utterly ridiculous.
I can’t believe that is a bit of confectionary! Even the buttons (okay, without the buttons, it isn’t a barcelona!) the piping AND THE STITCHING have been replicated!
And here I was feeling accomplished for making creme brulee for Xmas!
Still, as much as I like cake with coffee and liquor (tira-misu AND the barcelona?) I’ll take the original, thanks. I have the barcelona chairs and the daybed would go ever so well with them.
December 28th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Amazing how realistic it is!
December 28th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
WOW – that was surprising!
-Trish
December 28th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Even 12 hours later, that is just an incredible sight.
Still can’t quite believe just how realistic that is!
December 30th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Ah Mindstorm, I just knew you’d opt for the original version
The edible version really is an amazing creation. Annie’s comment about the size got me thinking how cute this would be in a smaller size or better yet, individual mini-sized versions. What a great dessert for modern decor lovers like yourself. And naturally, who better to recreate this fab final course than our resident dessert expert, Jane F.?
Yep, I think that’s a terrific idea. We’ll all meet at Jane’s house one afternoon for a Mies cake tasting!
December 30th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
That’s a great idea for minis, Jane. When I was young, my mother would make all sorts of special cakes for our birthdays or special occasions– even a grand piano!
Now I wonder if she really chose that one for the chocolate, haha.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I third that motion, JaneT! Mini-barcelona daybeds all around, please, Ms. F! JaneF’s a phenomenal baker and always up for a challenge. Any challenge. I bet you real barcelona-dollars that as we speak, she’s taken the gauntlet and is working on barcelona-bonbons.
This is such a fun picture, it’s ridiculous! I keep coming back to it over and over. LOL!