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Serpentine Gallery
Pavilion 2007
London, UK 2007
Olafur Eliasson and KjetThorsen
This project was completed prior to the founding
of Studio Other Spaces.
The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2007 was
constructed around a spiralling movement. It
was defined by a ramp that wrapped around
and gave shape to a central gathering space,
which constituted the primary space of the
pavilion. The experience of the building is
precisely related to one's movement through
it.
CONCEPT
PRODUCTION
REALITY
This was one of the first projects in which
Olafur Eliasson, with his studio, expanded
artistic work into an architectural project.
Drawing from the experience of being the
direct producer of artworks and exhibitions
within the studio space, knowledge and
methods were directly translated into the
production of architecture. The work was
entirely prefabricated, allowing for a strong
link between all parts of the construction.
This working method and collaboration
between art and architecture was a
precedent for the current architectural
undertakings of Studio Other Spaces.
The pavilion – a timber-clad structure that
resembled a spinning top – formed an
auditorium at its core. In order to eschew the
sharp distinctions between traditional
elements of a building, proposing instead a
model of space defined by movement, a
spiralling ramp ascended from the gallery's
lawn to the seating area and continued
upwards, culminating at the highest point in
a view across Kensington Gardens and down
into the chamber below.
In autumn 2007, Eliasson curated a number
of public events inside the pavilion together
with Hans Ulrich Obrist, Co-director of
Exhibitions and Programmes and Director of
International Projects at the Serpentine
Gallery. This engagement culminated in the
Serpentine Gallery Experiment Marathon,
held in October 2007.
Designed by Eliasson and Kjetil Thorsen,
founder of the Norwegian architectural
practice Snøhetta, the Serpentine Gallery
Pavilion 2007 was commissioned by the
Serpentine Gallery as part of its pavilion
series and was situated adjacent to the
gallery, in Kensington Gardens, London, from
August to October 2007.
PEOPLE
Client: Serpentine Gallery, London
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date: 2007, temporary installation
COLLABORATORS
