A ‘Black Chapel’ Rises At London’s Serpentine Pavilion For Refuge & Reflection

Serpentine Pavilion in London’s Kensington Gardens is now home to ‘Black Chapel’ by Chicago-born artist Theaster Gates. Constructed with architectural firm Adjaye Associates, this summer’s pavilion is a structure reminiscent of religious architecture.

Gates is the 21st artist to build a pavilion at the Serpentine after the architecture program was started with Zaha Hadid in 2000, according to Dezeen.  

Constructed out of sustainably sourced materials, darkened timber trusses protrude from its walls, and a circular roof where an oculus is carved into creates a solitary source of light that delivers “a sanctuary of reflection, refuge and conviviality.”  

Built with the bottle kilns of Stoke-on-Trent & beehive kilns of Western United States in mind, Gates takes inspiration from places of worship such as Bramante’s 16th-century Tempietto in Rome and the round churches of Hungary. Also present are references of the traditional African structures, like the Musgum mud huts of Cameroon.  

Along the wall are seven tar paintings done by Gates. A bell salvaged from the St. Laurence Cathedral Church sits outside beside the structure unifying the religious theme of the project.

Standing at 10.7 meters (35 ft) and is 16 meters (52 ft) in diameter, it is the largest pavilion that has been built at the Serpentine to date.

The space is slated to host a variety of activities including tea ceremonies, workshops and experimental music events, amongst other things.

Come summer’s end the chapel will be dismantled, as all Serpentine Pavilions are, and passed over to the Therme Group that has purchased it. 

[via Dezeen and Artlyst, cover image via Serpentine Galleries]