28/03/2010

Serpentine Pavilion 2010


The design for the 2010 Pavilion is a contrast of lightweight materials and dramatic metal cantilevered structures. The entire design is rendered in a vivid red that, in a play of opposites, contrasts with the green of its park setting. In London the color reflects the iconic British images of traditional telephone boxes, post boxes and London buses.


This year Serpentine Gallery in London invited French architect Jean Nouvel to design this year’s summer pavilion.
After last year’s SANAA’s beautiful intervention that was more about blending in with the surrounding environment, Jean Nouvel’s bold geometric proposal represents completely different approach to architecture.
As architect said, it’s all about contrast. The building consists of quite aggressive geometric forms, large retractable awnings and a freestanding, 12m high sloping wall (what for?!).
Let’s hope this summer will be cool as last year as visitors could fry in this red polycarbonate structure. Not mentioning they might become quite anxious after spending some time in this “vivid red” environment.
I don’t want to be too prejudiced, also, visuals usually don’t show things as they are in reality so I look forward to seeing Nouvel’s proposal this Summer and make up my mind then.
As always the Pavilion will host other events like the 5th Serpentine Gallery Marathon, The Marathon of Maps for the 21 Century. Invited artists, writers, thinkers and scientists will present maps encompassing their experience of the world today.
The Pavilion will also be the location for the Serpentine’s presentation of the renowned French artist Christian Boltanski’s acclaimed installation, Heartbeat.
All sounds really good, hopefully architecture won’t stand in the way of the art experience and will allow the visitors to relax and enjoy their coffee and cake :) (as that’s what this is about too!).

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