Every summer, Serpentine Gallery unveils a new season of outdoor art and architecture, and 2026 is no exception. The programme has commenced with the introduction of an interactive public sculpture.
About the Installation
The installation, titled 'Pénétrable BBL Jaune', consists of long yellow strands that visitors can walk or run through. Created by Venezuelan artist Jesús Rafael Soto, this kinetic artwork is now located outside Serpentine South in Kensington Gardens. It marks the first time Soto's work has been exhibited outdoors in the UK, reflecting his enduring fascination with kinetic art—art that moves or creates the illusion of movement.
The striking yellow installation spans 10 metres and comprises 4,000 identical PVC tubes suspended from a steel frame. Visitors are encouraged to step inside, weaving through the hanging strands and brushing past them. This piece is part of Soto's long-running Pénétrable series, which focuses on viewer interaction with sculptures. Soto, a leading figure in the kinetic art movement, created his first Pénétrable in 1967 and has since produced over 70 such works.
Summer Programme Highlights
The sculpture launches Serpentine's 2026 summer programme, which includes a variety of art, architecture, talks, and events. This year's Serpentine Pavilion has been designed by Mexico City-based architecture studio LANZA atelier. The structure draws inspiration from an English architectural feature known as a 'serpentine' or 'crinkle-crankle' wall, typically a wavy brick wall.
Other summer highlights include Italian artist Giuseppe Penone's striking 'Albero Folgorato' artwork and David Hockney's large-scale piece 'A Year in Normandie', which has been on display at Serpentine North since March.
Jesús Rafael Soto's 'Pénétrable BBL Jaune' will be on view from June 16 to October 25, 2026, at Serpentine South, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA.
