Archipelagic Void: Serpentine Pavilion 2024

Founded in 2003 by Minsuk Cho in Seoul, Mass Studies architecture studio has designed Serpentine Pavilion 2024. The 23rd edition of this annual project organized by Serpentine Galleries, the event will open to the public from June 7 through October 27 in London’s Kensington Gardens. Entitled Archipelagic Void, the Pavilion comprises five structures conceived as the islands of an archipelago. Each one is unique in its size, form, and name: Gallery, Auditorium, Library of Unread Books, Tea House, and Play Tower.

The islands, which are made of timber and rest on a structure that compensates for the slight incline of the site, surround a central void surmounted by a steel ring that connects the roofs of the five elements. This outdoor space links the archipelago to the historic Serpentine South Gallery and the park’s footpaths. Inspiration for the design came from traditional Korean homes and their madang, or open central courtyard.

Each structure has a different purpose. Gallery hosts a six-channel sound installation with two works that trace the changing of the seasons: The Willow Is (버들은), presented in spring, and Moonlight (월정명), presented in fall. Auditorium, the largest island, will host public gatherings, performances, and conferences. Library of Unread Books occupies the north of the Pavilion, while Play Tower, a pyramid structure with a climbing net, occupies the southeast. Finally, Minsuk Cho created Tea House in homage to the history of the Serpentine building. Designed by James Grey West, the Serpentine South building was originally a tea room, before becoming an art gallery in 1970.

 

The Willow Is (버들은) and Moonlight (월정명)

South Korean musician and composer Jang Young-Gyu has composed two works for the Pavilion: The Willow Is (버들은) and Moonlight (월정명), both of which incorporate the sounds of nature recorded in Kensington Gardens. By combining these recordings with traditional Korean vocal music and instruments – such as the gayageum (가야금), geomungo (거문고), piri (피리), janggo (장고), and kkwaenggwari (꽹가리) – the works depict the changing of the seasons. The Willow Is (버들은) represents summer and will be presented from June through September. Moonlight (월정명), which depicts fall, will be presented from September through October.

 

Library of Unread Books

Artist Heman Chong and archivist Renée Staal created Library of Unread Books, a library intended to encourage people to donate their unread books. By making them available, the library is providing a pool of common knowledge for the community. Stacked in random piles, the books themselves create a welcoming and informal environment that invites visitors to make themselves at home.

 

>>> Discover the Serpentine Pavilion 2023, designed by Lina Ghotmeh