The Serpentine Pavilion 2023
The Conran Shop is delighted to have worked alongside world-renowned architect Lina Ghotmeh to produce two exclusive furniture pieces for her 2023 Serpentine Pavilion. The specially designed tables and complimenting stools have been carefully curated to dress the structure which will be open to the public from 9th June to 29th October 2023.
Ideas of sharing and community take centre stage in Gotmeh’s architecture, which echoes the beautiful grounds of Kensington Gardens in which is sits. Entitled ‘À table, which in French is often a signal to family marking the time to sit around the dining table and share a meal together, the circular structure is both a call to and a celebration of togetherness. Values which are enhanced by the long solid wood tables and open back stools which line the interior, an invitation to sit, converse and share with others.
“It is so magical to work with The Conran Shop to realise the tables and chairs I imagined and designed for the Pavilion. These are centrepiece to the Pavilion spirit as a place of gathering, togetherness, conviviality, and joy” adds Lina.
Kicking off discussions last November, The Conran Shop’s own design team worked closely with Ghotmeh to develop her two designs for the Pavilion. Twenty-five tables and fifty-seven stools sit proudly in the space, each given a remarkable dark red finish, and will go into production later in the year becoming available to purchase exclusively from The Conran Shop.
Campbell Thompson, Head of Furniture & lighting at The Conran Shop notes, “it has been a real privilege to collaborate with Lina on developing the designs from sketches to final pieces. The furniture will perfectly complement and enhance the stunning structure”.
Beginning in 2000 with Dame Zaha Hadid as the first featured architect the pioneering Serpentine Pavilion commission has since presented the first completed UK structures from some of the biggest names and emerging talents in international architecture. The project has since evolved into a participatory public and artistic platform for the Serpentine’s experimental, interdisciplinary, community and family programmes.
Chief Executive Bettina Korek and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director at Serpentine praise Ghotmeh’s design for highlighting the power of art and architecture for bringing people together: “We are thrilled to present Lina Ghotmeh’s first structure built on British soil here at Serpentine; her design is built from sustainable materials and draws on natural elements that reflect its surroundings in Kensington Gardens. In form and function, Ghotmeh’s Pavillion expands on Serpentine’s mission of creating connections between artists and society by celebrating unity and togetherness. We are grateful to our loyal partners and supporters for making Ghotmeh’s brilliant concept into an inspiring reality. As Etel Adnan said; ‘The world needs togetherness, not separation. Love, not suspicion. A common future, not isolation’”.
The table (£1,595) and stool (£325) will be available from The Conran Shop in stained solid hardwood ash in autumn 2023.
Serpentine Pavilion 2023 designed by Lina Ghotmeh. © Lina Ghotmeh. All images courtesy of: Iwan Baan, photographer and Serpentine.
