Japan-based architect Arata Isozaki and UK-born artist Anish Kapoor are to collaborate on a new mobile concert hall, which is to tour earthquake-affected regions in Japan next year.

Under the direction of Isozaki, the creation of the Ark Nova venue has been initiated by the Lucerne Festival and will see works hosted in a variety of locations from spring 2012. Japanese concert and artist management group Kajimoto is also involved with the initiative, which will see the mobile concert hall seat between 500 and 700 spectators.

Kapoor will design the inflatable shell of the venue, which is to be built from elastic material in order to allow for quick erection and dismantling of the structure. Acoustic design services are being provided by Yasuhisa Toyota or Nagata Acoustics, while David Staples of London-based Theatre Project is acting as theatre consultant.

Masahide Kajimoto, president of Kajimoto and co-initiator of the project, said, "With the Ark Nova project, we want to provide the people in this situation with some joy they wouldn't otherwise experience every day, doing so right where they are. "This impressive hall should not only serve as a platform for performances but also as a place to meet, find creative inspiration and thus make a lasting contribution towards returning normalcy to the region."

Details: www.ark-nova.com