Following a delay in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, the 20th Serpentine Pavilion will be unveiled on Friday, June 11th in London’s Kensington Gardens. Designed by Johannesburg-based architectural practice Counterspace, the forthcoming pavilion will draw inspiration from places across London—both past and present—made for meeting, organizing, and belonging.
“My practice, and this pavilion, is centered around amplifying and collaborating with multiple and diverse voices from many different histories; with an interest in themes of identity, community, belonging and gathering,” says Counterspace founder and principal Sumayya Vally. “The past year has drawn these themes sharply into focus and has allowed me the space to reflect the incredible generosity of the communities that have been integral to this pavilion. This has given rise to several initiatives that extend the duration, scale, and reach of the pavilion beyond its physical lifespan.”
Forms will abstract, superimpose, and splice architectural elements that vary in scales of intimacy. Entitled Listening to the City, the structure will also feature works by artists, including Ain Bailey and Jay Barnard, to further infuse the stories and sounds of London.
Vally continues: “In a time of isolation, these initiatives have deepened the pavilion’s intents toward sustained collaboration, and I am excited to continue this engagement with the Serpentine’s civic and education teams and our partners over the summer and beyond.”
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