The roots of gingerbread cookies are found in different countries in Europe and Asia, but historians agree that in the form of dolls they emerged in England in the 16th century, when Queen Elizabeth I requested that her cookies be shaped like some members of the court. Now cookies have many shapes and star in the Christmas season, numerous stories, animated films (such as Shrek, where the famous Gingy, gingerbread man, appears) and this year a Gingerbread City exhibition in London and New York.
When you enter Gingerbread City, you are immediately surrounded by sweet aromas that, like exquisite perfume, permeate the building and stay with you like a memory. In both cities the exhibition is run by the Museum of Architecture, a UK charity dedicated to connecting architecture and design with the public in fun and exciting ways. This year Gingerbread City is made up of four industrial zones with more than 70 buildings made of gingerbread: houses, train stations, markets, schools, parks and museums, all decorated with icing and sweets.
It is the seventh time that the Gingerbread City exhibition has been held in London and for the first time it comes to New York. According to Melissa Woolford, founder of the project, both cities are affected by flood plains, therefore the pieces are part of a concept of water-sensitive cities, that is, cities aimed at reducing the consumption of water resources and costs. associated energetics. Prepared by more than 100 architects, engineers and designers, including Foster
The most notable gingerbread pieces are The Gingerbread Factory, a factory powered by renewable energy, Crumbly Cracker Bridge, a public space and at the same time an anti-flood barrier, Icing Shelf, the research station designed in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey , and Cinnamon Stadium, inspired by the Colosseum in Rome, also with flood protection elements.
Gingerbread City is an exhibition designed for adults and children, where, in addition to observing, you can participate in a one-hour workshop that includes everything you need to create your own gingerbread house. No matter how much you want to, you are not allowed to take a bite of the pieces in the exhibition, so be sure to eat before you visit. Both exhibitions will remain open until January 7.
