Not just any old wooden chair, but a gingerbread replica of a famed late 19th century Lutheri tool or plywood (vineerist) chair made in Tallinn’s A. M. Lutheri Mehaanilise Puidu/töötlemise Vabrik / Luther Woodworking Company.
From 1880 to 1940, the Luther factory was one of the world’s leading plywood and furniture companies, contributing greatly to plywood production and furniture design.
The Lutheri kvartal (quarter) of preserved industrial buildings along Pärnu maantee in Tallinn now houses apartments and offices.
This gingerbread beauty is the work of Mall Kees and Malle Pärtel.
Do you recognize this iconic building in Eesti’s capital? That would be the Tallinna Kunsti/hoone or Tallinn Art Hall on Vabaduse väljak (Freedom Square), built in 1934.
Its arhitektid were Edgar Johan Kuusik and Anton Soans and this pipar/koogi/koopia was created by Lembe Ruben and Kaupo Kangur.
In the background looms a gingerbread cube homage to op-art master Victor Vasarely. Photos: Riina Kindlam
For the 8th year running, the “PiparkoogiMaania” or Gingerbread Mania exhibition is on in Tallinn during the Christmas season until 8. jaanuar.
This year’s theme is kunsti/ajalugu or art history and alongside famous copies of Dali, Picasso, Da Vinci, Miro, Gaudi and even the lovely, shapely Willendorfi Venus, all made of pipar/koogi/tainas (gingerbread dough), are also those of some familiar local stars such as Jüri Arrak’s wavyheaded creatures, cartoon-like Marko Mäetamm and painter Oskar Kallas’s famous rug design Ussi/kuningas (Snake King).
Visit www.piparkoogimaania.ee or the Disaini- ja Arhitektuurigalerii on Pärnu maantee opposite the Rahvusooper Estonia.
Riina Kindlam,
Tallinn
