Date of press release: 22nd September 2010
French Culture and Communications Minister, Frédéric Mitterrand, described this inflatable events space designed by UK architects 2hD as “Very beautiful” during an official tour yesterday.
The compliment came as the Minister toured the newly reopened Museum of Modern Art in Lille, France. He diverted from his official route to view the inflatable structure, which is a focal point for celebrations of the Museum’s reopening after four years of refurbishment and extension.
The pavilion later wowed guests at the official opening ceremony with its flowing lines and glowing structure. According to German artist Barbara Gaul, “The fascination with this wonderful pavilion is so great that everyone -- despite the summer weather outside -- wants to be inside it, and all faces are lit up with joy!” “Not only is it functional but also very sensitive and protective” said Simone Few, visitor and wife of jazz musician Bobby Few.
Located in the sculpture park at the entrance to the Museum, the events space will be the focal point for a week-long programme of events, including the public opening on 25th-26th September. As well as hosting official speeches, dinners and performances, the space will help to welcome and introduce people to the extended Museum and its impressive collection of Modern art.
Features of the events space:
- Designed to hold up to 350 people for events and performances
- Constructed of lightweight fabric by specialist manufacturer Inflate
- Shipped to site in a single container
- Pressurised with electric fans, the structure takes just 10 minutes to inflate
- Creates a space 40m (130 feet) long by 15m (50 feet) at its widest point
- Covers the area of two tennis courts
- Will be depressurised and stored ready for future events
Images
The events space in context of the sculpture park.
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The events space with the refurbished museum buildings behind.
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Events space interior.
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Events space exterior at night.
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Events space interior at night.
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Notes to the editor
For further information please contact:
Tom Hughes
Tel: +44 775 195 8003
Email: tom@2hD.co.uk
Further information on 2hD architects
2hD is a creative architectural design practice based in Nottingham, UK. It is a three-person practice: Alina Hughes, Tom Hughes and Thibaut Devulder, who make inventive and friendly architectural spaces that create a strong sense of place for their clients and their community.
2hD contact:
Tom Hughes
Tel: +44 775 195 8003
Email: tom@2hD.co.uk
Website: www.2hD.co.uk
Further information on inflatable designer/manufacturer Inflate:
Inflate offers a range of award winning, architecturally stimulating structures that have been specifically designed to suit the portable and temporary events market.
Inflate contact:
Nick Crosbie
Tel:+44 797 692 7432
Website: www.inflate.co.uk
Further information on the Lille Museum of Modern Art
After more than four years of renovation and extension work, the Museum of Modern Art of Lille Métropole (Villeneuve d’Ascq) will be reopening to the public on 25 September 2010 under a new name: the LaM, Lille Métropole Musée d’art moderne, d’art contemporain et d’art brut (museum of modern, contemporary and outsider art).
International press contact for LaM:
Laurence Gillion
Agence Heymann, Renoult Associées
Email: l.gillion@heymann-renoult.com
Tel. +33 (0)1 44 61 76 76
LaM – Lille Métropole Musée d’art moderne, d’art contemporain et d’art brut
1 allée du Musée, 59650 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
Tel. +33 (0)3 20 19 68 68
Fax: +33 (0)3 20 19 68 99
Website: www.musee-lam.fr
ENDS
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