The bed is one of humanity’s most universal objects in the context of sleep.
It is where we rest, recover, and retreat; a place of protection and intimacy.
Archaeological evidence shows that people in Africa were already sleeping on
grass beds more than 200,000 years ago. Since then, beds have taken on countless
forms, materials, and meanings, reflecting cultural traditions,
social structures, and personal needs.
Where We (Could) Sleep is a collection that traces the diversity of beds across history, culture, and imagination. It ranges from historical objects to works of art, from fairy tales and literature to pop culture, film, and video games. The collection highlights how differently humans have conceived the same essential object, inviting you to reflect on your own bed or perhaps to imagine yourself sleeping in one of these beds (or, in some cases, to decide that you’d rather not).
These interpretations are brought together on a one-color Riso-printed poster measuring 210 × 420 mm. The front presents the collection visually, while the back provides descriptions and background information on each bed and its story. The collection can also be explored in a playful way through a memory game. By matching 15 pairs of beds, you gradually discover the variety of forms and meanings represented in the collection.
Click START GAME to begin and try to find all 15 pairs in as few moves as possible. To restart the game, press RESET. Hovering over matched pairs reveals additional information, which corresponds to the texts printed on the back of the poster. To take a closer look at the printed work, click on the poster miniature. By clicking and dragging, you can flip between the front and back.
Where We (Could) Sleep is a collection that traces the diversity of beds across history, culture, and imagination. It ranges from historical objects to works of art, from fairy tales and literature to pop culture, film, and video games. The collection highlights how differently humans have conceived the same essential object, inviting you to reflect on your own bed or perhaps to imagine yourself sleeping in one of these beds (or, in some cases, to decide that you’d rather not).
These interpretations are brought together on a one-color Riso-printed poster measuring 210 × 420 mm. The front presents the collection visually, while the back provides descriptions and background information on each bed and its story. The collection can also be explored in a playful way through a memory game. By matching 15 pairs of beds, you gradually discover the variety of forms and meanings represented in the collection.
Click START GAME to begin and try to find all 15 pairs in as few moves as possible. To restart the game, press RESET. Hovering over matched pairs reveals additional information, which corresponds to the texts printed on the back of the poster. To take a closer look at the printed work, click on the poster miniature. By clicking and dragging, you can flip between the front and back.