Kéré at Coachella

John Hill
18. aprile 2019
Bad Bunny performing during the first weekend of Coachella, with Francis Kéré's Sarbalé Ke installation in the distance (Photo courtesy of Coachella)

Sarbalé Ke, which translates as "the house of celebration," was inspired by the Baobab tree, "the most important tree" in Kéré's native village of Gando, Burkina Faso. This inspiration echoes Kéré's design for the 2017 Serpentine Pavilion, which he analogized as a tree: a wooden canopy that created a sheltered space where people could gather for talks and other events.

At Coachella, the twelve towers — some reaching heights over 60 feet — attract people through their colorful patterns; "Naturally, you will walk toward it," Kéré said, just like a cluster of Baobab trees. And like the trees, the towers provide shade and cooling breezes, through their tapered forms and ventilated construction.

Coachella occupies the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, sprinkling its grounds with nearly a dozen art installations and experiences. (Photo courtesy of Coachella)
The profile of Sarbalé Ke's twelve towers echoes the mountains that surround Coachella Valley. (Photo courtesy of Coachella)
The towers are made of colored triangular panels in varied patterns. (Photo courtesy of Coachella)
The panels are spaced apart to allow breezes through the towers. (Photos courtesy of Coachella)
Not surprisingly, with headlining musicians hitting the stages close to midnight, Sarbalé Ke's presence at night was well considered. (Photo courtesy of Coachella)

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