Anish Kapoor and Arata Isozaki’s Inflatable “Ark Nova” Touches Down in Switzerland

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Summary

  • The Lucerne Festival in Switzerland is currently staging a music series housed within Anish Kapoor and Arata Isozaki’s inflatable “Ark Nova” concert hall
  • Part sculpture, part architectural intervention the piece, defined by its mobility and structural flexibility, was created in 2013 as a symbol of resilience

The inflatable concert hall known as “Ark Nova,” designed by Anish Kapoor and the late Arata Isozaki, has risen in Switzerland for this year’s Lucerne Festival. For several days, this large purple structure will serve as a venue for various classical, jazz, and folk concerts, providing a unique blend of music and art that visitors won’t find anywhere else.

The project first appeared at the Matsuhima edition of the festival in 2013; it was conceived following the Fukushima earthquake as a representation of strength and optimism. Partly sculptural and architectural marvel, this creation showcases a mobile beacon of sound and light, hinting at regeneration through its ethereal design.

The pavilion, spanning 36 meters in length and reaching 18 meters in height, can comfortably house up to 500 individuals. Its inflatable PVC roof combines elements of both Anish Kapoor’s investigations into emptiness and spatiality, as evidenced in his 2011 piece titled “Leviathan,” and the structural whimsy of Arata Isozaki. This fusion results in a structure that is both aesthetically captivating and functionally sound, designed to provide exceptional acoustics.

During the 2025 Lucerne Festival, visitors can enjoy not only performances within “Ark Nova,” but also a tour of this structure, and a unique exhibit at the Hans Erni Museum that delves into the evolution of the hall, using models, sketches, and historical documents. The “Ark Nova” series continues until September 14. For further details, visit the festival’s official website.

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2025-09-09 16:25