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The Ark Nova, a mobile inflatable amphitheater created in response to the 2011 natural disasters in Tohoku, was installed for the first time outside of Japan at the Lucerne Festival Sept. 4–14 in Switzerland.
At the festival, the Ark Nova hosted workshops, guided tours and 35 concerts featuring international musicians and local talent, with styles ranging from classical to pop and rock. There were also designated time slots that allowed visitors free access to view the Ark Nova at their leisure, in addition to free performances by Naomi Lareine, Soleroy and DJ Briiight.
The structure inflates in just 10 minutes and expands to 29 meters wide, 36 meters long and 18 meters tall (95 by 118 by 59 feet). The shell is a PVC-coated polyester membrane measuring 2,000 square meters (21,528 square feet). Featuring a large stage and auditorium seating, the Ark Nova accommodates approximately 500 people.
From the outside, the venue appears opaque purple, while from the inside, it appears translucent red. The translucency results in varying colors as light levels change throughout the day and highlights the shadows of the surrounding environment. As a result of its donut shape, the tensile fabric turns in on itself, creating a visually striking diagonal tube across the amphitheater’s interior.
The Ark Nova attracted 12,000 visitors during the festival, and an accompanying exhibition was held at the Hans Erni Museum through Oct. 12. The exhibition presented the history of the Ark Nova, including models, documents, photos and videos about its conceptual and technical development.
The venue was created by artist Anish Kapoor and late architect Arata Isozaki. Throughout 2013–2015, the Ark Nova toured the affected region of Japan, providing live music to disaster victims to inspire hope and optimism. The amphitheater’s seating is made from wood sourced from cedar trees that previously grew near the Zuiganji Temple and were uprooted in the natural disaster.