sam kaplan forms sweet architectural arrangements with slices of gum

sam kaplan forms sweet architectural arrangements with slices of gum
all images courtesy of sam kaplan

new york-based photographer sam kaplan has built a series of food sculptures that mimic structural forms, turning edibles into architectural arrangements. the collection of images — titled ‘unwrapped’ — has been made using only sticks of gum, layered and stacked into organized formations and configurations. red, blue, yellow and green slices have been carefully assembled into an assortment of colorful compositions that echo architectural archways, towers and building façades. 

the series echos kaplan’s collection of food pits and pyramids made from candies, cookies and tea cakes, previously featured by designboom here. kaplan arranged tiers of sweet and savory bites according to their color, creating mesmerizing patterns and geometries that altered their perception from food to architectural formation.

the gum cube sees stacks of slices arranged as a geometric volume 

yellow and blue sticks of gum are layered to create a jagged effect 

tall green towers are carefully composed from sticks of gum  

an undulating red façade is created through the arrangement of slices 

two architectural archways are formed by the sticky sweets 

blue and red slices interlock to form the ‘corner’ of a building