Inflatable concert hall

Today opened the world’s first inflatable concert hall, a huge purple structure built a in Matsushima city park, in north eastern Japan, created especially for Lucerne Festival Ark Nova 2013.

The initiative aims to provide support through music to the affected areas of Tohoku in Japan that were hit by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011.

The structure is named ARK NOVA and was created by British sculptor Anish Kapoor and the Japanese architect Arata Isozaki, consisting essentially an inflatable membrane lined with polyester that can be easily deflated and transported across the region, allowing to hold events that "help unite people", according to the press release.

When inflated, this structure is about 30m wide, 36m long and a maximum height of 18m, has a capacity for about 500 people and is equipped with a stage and sound equipment suitable for orchestral performances.

The executive and artistic director of the Lucerne Festival, Michael Haefliger said he could not stand still watching earthquake and tsunami disaster on 11 March 2011 on the TV and called his old friend Masahide. "What can people in Switzerland do for lots of friends in Japan?".

The Lucerne Festival ARK NOVA was immediately started after the big disaster in Japan in 2011, by Lucerne Festival, the international music festival in Switzerland.

The name ARK comes from "Noah's Ark" and NOVA means "new", in a clear reference to the famous passage from the Old Testament, with the hope that it can become a symbol of recovery after the devastation of 2011. This way, ARK NOVA intends to work as a moving ark, bringing arts and music to the people, in a rebuilding perspective for culture and spirit.

It also alludes to "Marebito", a legend of Japanese folklore Shinobu Orikuchi that explains the origin of the arts, where sacred guests from foreign lands brought religions and festivals and revitalised society as a result.

ARK NOVA will visit all the devastated areas as a "Marebito" stimulating and promoting culture and interaction with local people.

The inaugural event, held today, featured a young orchestra from northeastern Japan, conducted by Maestro Dudamel. Also scheduled until 14 October are numerous workshops and performances of Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and "Kabuki", traditional Japanese theatre.

More at: ark-nova.com