Features
The Inflatable Theatre
World media has been entranced by the inflatable, portable blob-like Ark Nova concert hall unveiled several weeks ago in the northeastern Japanese coastal town of Matsushima.
Photo: Lucerne Festival Ark Nova 2013
It really does look like a blob.
The inflatable and portable hall is designed by architect Arata Isozaki and sculptor Anish Kapoor. It is also equipped with all the stage, lighting and sound equipment necessary to put on full concerts.
The purple, seamless membrane can be folded up and loaded onto a truck. It is the first of its kind in the world, and was conceived specifically for the area destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami of 2011, most of which are still without major public facilities, such as concert halls.
When inflated, the blob-like structure measures 30 meters wide, 36 meters long and 18 meters high.
It can seat 500 and accommodate exhibitions as well as musical performances. Isozaki and Kapoor contributed their services gratis to the project.
The inaugural event will be concerts by the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and some kabuki performances as part of the Lucerne Festival, which also features an orchestra from the Swiss city the festival is named after.