Life-size chocolate Gaudí figure unveiled to celebrate centenary year

Riudoms, near Tarragona, has presented a life-size chocolate figure of architect Antoni Gaudí as part of celebrations marking the centenary of his death. Created by Catalan pastry chef Adán Sáez, the sculpture weighs roughly 150kg and is made from 60% dark chocolate.

The piece was commissioned by the Riudoms City Council to offer a unique take on the Gaudí Year festivities.

"The idea is to give the Gaudí Year a popular touch, and what better way than with a Catalan tradition like the Easter 'mona' and a chocolate figure," mayor Ricard Gili said.

In Catalonia, it is tradition for godparents to offer ‘mona’ Easter cakes to godchildren, which are usually topped with a decorative chocolate figurine. The custom of creating chocolate figurines has now been extended to the country’s most famous architect. 

Unveiled on Sunday, March 29, in Church Square before dozens of residents, the sculpture was later moved to the entrance of the Casal Riudomenc Auditorium, where it will be displayed until April 11. On that day, it will be ceremonially broken apart and distributed among attendees.

Sáez based the upper part of the figure on a mold originally used by artist Joan Serramià for a sculpture of Gaudí that stands in the same square. "From there, we recreated the entire body downward," Sáez explained. 

The original plan was to depict Gaudí standing, but practical challenges in transporting the piece led Sáez to portray him seated in a chair instead. 

The final piece was coated with an edible bronze finish to add a more ornate look, and features a trencadís-style base, a mosaic made of broken tile pieces, made from colored white chocolate.

The project took about a month to complete.

During installation, a small bump caused a finger on the sculpture's right hand to break off, along with a miniature Sagrada Família it was holding. Sáez quickly repaired the damage, using a lighter to melt chocolate and reattach the piece.

The piece joins other Gaudí-themed chocolate initiatives this season, such as artisan Easter eggs inspired by his work at Park Güell in Barcelona.