Curtain Call: Ron Arad's installation goes round

Exhibition: Ron Arad’s Curtain Call, Roundhouse, London, until August 29 2011

The internationally renowned Israeli artist, architect and designer, Ron Arad, has responded to the Roundhouse’s distinctive Main Space with a unique installation this summer.

Curtain Call, a cylindrical curtain of 5,600 silicon rods suspended from a ring measuring 18 metres in diameter, will act as a canvas for films, live performance and audience interaction.

Arad has invited his favourite artists, musicians and friends to create unique works for the equally original 360° interactive installation.

For three weeks visitors will be able to see work by Babis Alexiadis, David Shrigley, Greenaway & Greenaway and students from the Royal College of Art, among others.

Once inside the cylinder, participants will be “engulfed by images – a captive, but also a creator”, according to Arad.

His constant experimentation with materials and his radical approach to form and structure during the past 30 years have put Arad at the forefront of contemporary design.

In 1994 he unveiled the Bookworm bookshelf and, in 2005, his Lolita chandelier for the Swarovski crystal company.

In many ways a forerunner to Curtain Call, the chandelier, comprised of 2,100 Swarovski crystals, becomes a giant pixel board, receiving and displaying text messages along its curving length. 

Throughout Curtain Call’s run, a number of special events will be held, including a performance of Bach and Britten solo suites by acclaimed cellist Steven Isserlis (Aug 17).

Berlin-based electronic music label Innervisions curate an evening featuring a screening of the 1920s classic, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, accompanied by a live score (Aug 19).

A number of "pay what you can" events will also be held, including the deliverance of a rude oracle by Everything is Illuminated author, Jonathan Safran Foer (Aug 15).

• For more information visit the Curtain Call homepage.