Serpentine has unveiled a major public sculpture by pioneering kinetic artist Jesús Rafael Soto, launching its summer programme in Kensington Gardens. The work, *Pénétrable BBL Jaune* (1999; 2023 Edition), is installed near Serpentine South until 25 October 2026 and marks the first outdoor presentation of Soto’s work in the UK. The large-scale sculpture features 4,000 suspended yellow PVC strands that visitors can walk through, creating an immersive, participatory environment. The unveiling coincides with the opening of the 25th Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Mexican architecture studio LANZA atelier, and a season of live events including Park Nights.
This installation matters because it continues Serpentine’s long-standing commitment to bringing ambitious public art into the landscape of Kensington Gardens, a tradition dating back to 1970. Soto’s work, rooted in kinetic and optical art, challenges traditional notions of sculpture by making the viewer an active participant. The summer programme also marks a milestone for the Serpentine Pavilion, now in its 25th edition, with new partnerships including the Zaha Hadid Foundation and Rolex as Official Timepiece Partner. Together, these elements reinforce Serpentine’s role as a dynamic cultural destination in London.