Serpentine Pavilion 2023: Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture
To coincide with the Serpentine Pavilion 2023 designed by Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture (9 June – 29 October 2023), Serpentine has co-published a catalogue with Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther und Franz König.
The catalogue, conceived in close collaboration with Lina Ghotmeh and designed by Les Graphiquants, echoes and expands on the ideas that are central to the architect‘s practice.
The publication brings together texts and visual interventions by esteemed contributors from the world of architecture, art, photography and fiction who form part of Ghotmeh’s work ecosystem. Tracing Ghotmeh’s roots and heritage, Bernard Comment writes about the lived experiences of the architect in Beirut and how that inspires her practice. Beatriz Colomina writes about the correlation of architecture with nature and living organisms. Responding to the form of the pleated roof of the Pavilion, David Zilber presents a recipe for palm wine and discusses the connection between his practice of fermentation and spaces. Artist Ali Cherri contributed a piece of speculative fiction about a museum in Beirut, which chimes in with Ghotmeh’s approach to space-making. Serpentine’s chairman Michael R. Bloomberg also shares a recipe – in this case for a great building – and the security team who works in the Pavilion, Wayne Fuller, Keiron Dickinson, Gomma Ali Maged, Tunde Dobozi, Desider Pereira, express their thoughts on the principles of good architecture.
This catalogue also offers a moment to listen to a soundscape composed by Jad and Tarek Atoui for the Pavilion. Titled Dawn chorus, the piece is based on Ghotmeh’s sketches, drawings and reference materials. A selection of historical photographs by Fouad Elkoury narrates the history of places important to Ghotmeh. Two engravings by Simone Fattal are also featured in the book, depicting parts of the city of Damascus.
Alongside these compelling contributions is a selection of Ghotmeh’s watercolours, which are an integral part of her practice. To showcase the design process of the Pavilion, the catalogue also includes a series of images, sketches and drawings from the research wall in Ghotmeh’s studio. These spreads are juxtaposed with images of plants and the natural environment surrounding the Pavilion, illustrating the connection between architecture and nature. The publication also includes an extensive interview between the architect and Hans Ulrich Obrist, which introduces the practice and traces the research, development and ideas behind the Pavilion.
Edited by:
Alexa Chow
Natalia Grabowska
Contributors:
Michael R. Bloomberg
Ali Cherri
Bernard Comment
Beatriz Colomina
Fouad Elkoury
Simone Fattal
Hans Ulrich Obrist
Wayne Fuller, Keiron Dickinson, Gomma Ali Maged, Tunde Dobozi, Desider Pereira
Jad and Tarek Atoui
David Zilber
Designer: Les Graphiquants
Print: Lösch GmbH & Co. KG
Publisher: Serpentine and Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther und Franz König, Köln
Size: 17 cm x 25 cm, portrait
Pages: 188
ISBN 978-1-908617-81-1
Retail price £26
