Theaster Gates's Black Chapel Serpentine Pavilion Opens in London Amid Economic and Social Tensions
Last week in London, Theaster Gates revealed his Serpentine Pavilion project, titled Black Chapel. This cylindrical structure, standing 10.7 meters tall and crafted from charred timber with a conical roof, was developed in collaboration with Adjaye Associates. Gates, who is recognized for transforming buildings in Chicago's South Side, characterized the pavilion as a representation of "Blackness" and a sense of hope amidst oppression. Inside, there are seven tar paintings dedicated to his late father, while a reclaimed bell from St Laurence church in Chicago is placed outside for performances. The pavilion draws inspiration from English bottle kilns, US beehive kilns, and the Musgum adobe homes of Cameroon. It was inaugurated close to the fifth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower Fire, which is currently under public inquiry. Performances feature Black British artists like Corinne Bailey Rae and Moses Boyd.
Key facts
- Theaster Gates presented his Serpentine Pavilion commission, Black Chapel, in London last week.
- Black Chapel is a 10.7-meter-tall, 16-meter-wide cylindrical structure made of blackened timber with a conical roof and oculus.
- The pavilion was erected with support from the architectural firm Adjaye Associates.
- Inside, seven tar paintings honor Gates's late father, a professional roofer, and a salvaged bell from St Laurence church in Chicago is outside.
- The pavilion references English bottle kilns, US beehive kilns, and Musgum adobe homes of Cameroon.
- It opened within days of the fifth anniversary of the 2017 Grenfell Tower Fire, which is under public inquiry in Kensington and Chelsea.
- Performances include Black British artists Corinne Bailey Rae and Moses Boyd as part of Serpentine's Park Nights programme.
- Gates described Black Chapel as being "about Blackness" and the ability to remain optimistic despite subjugation.
Entities
Artists
- Theaster Gates
- Corinne Bailey Rae
- Moses Boyd
Institutions
- Serpentine Pavilion
- Adjaye Associates
- Serpentine South Gallery
- St Laurence church
- Serpentine
- Park Nights programme
Locations
- London
- Britain
- Chicago
- South Side
- United States
- Cameroon
- Kensington Gardens
- Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
- City of Westminster
- Kensington Palace
- UK