Anish Kapoor designs inflatable concert hall for disaster-hit Japan

Anish Kapoor is designing a giant inflatable concert hall in Japan with a seating capacity for 700 spectators.

London: Indian-origin sculptor Anish Kapoor is designing a giant inflatable concert hall, which will bring music and performance arts in areas of Japan devastated by the earthquake and tsunami which hit earlier this year.

The hall, seating up to 700 spectators, will be a “pneumatic structure” so that it can be inflated quickly with air. Commissioned by Switzerland`s Lucerne festival, the structure will be built in collaboration with the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki. A programme of events is scheduled to begin in spring next year. The project is titled Ark Nova - A Tribute to Higashi Nihon - the area struck by the earthquake and tsunami on 11 March this year. “It`s obvious that we can`t undo all the terrible pain and suffering,” the BBC quoted Michael Haefliger, executive director of the Lucerne festival, as saying. “But through music and art we want to give the people in the region new hope and promise,” he added. The concert hall will be transported to various locations in the devastated region. Its programme will include classical music, jazz, dance and multimedia projects. Events are expected to be funded by sponsors and patrons so that tickets will be free for local people. ANI