SPACE September 2024 (No. 682)
Exhibition opening of ‘Moments in Serpentine Pavilions 2000 – 2024: Inspirational spaces for all’ ©Bang Yukyung
An exhibition highlighting the history of Serpentine Pavilions is being held at the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture until Sep. 25. Curated by Park Heechan (principal, Studio Heech), the exhibition introduces a comprehensive overview of 23 pavilions, from the design of Zaha Hadid in 2000 to the 2024 pavilion by Cho Minsuk (principal, MASS STUDIES), the first Korean architect to be commissioned for the project. The exhibition features media such as photographs and videos. What makes this event more intriguing is the accompanying programme, which involve a diverse participants including architect, curator, photographer, and director. Lectures by Cho Minsuk and Park Heechan have already taken place, and renowned photographer Iwan Baan, who has long documented the Serpentine Pavilions, along with Hans Ulrich Obrist, the artistic director of the Serpentine project, who will be visiting Korea for talks. Additionally, a discussion featuring Cho Minsuk, Lee Jihoi (curator, MMCA), and Pai Hyungmin (professor, University of Seoul) is expected to cover Mass Studies’ public projects including the Serpentine Pavilion. Meanwhile, these talks also offer new perspectives on the exhibition. For instance, in his lecture, Cho Minsuk pointed out that since 2008, the Serpentine project has increasingly emphasised sustainability and barrier free accessibility, even as budgets have remained relatively constrained. This insight encourages visitors to view the pavilions through the lens of pre- and post- 2008 shifts, considering how each architect’s choice of materials, structures, and forms relate to these external conditions.
