Save this picture! Courtesy of OMA; Photography by Philippe Ruault

An OMA-designed temporary pavilion at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival was inaugurated today with a screening of Kanye West’s debut short film Cruel Summer. The pavilion, with a design led by Shohei Shigematsu, is a raised pyramid containing a seven-screen cinema invented by West’s creative team, Donda.

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The pavilion is designed to immerse the audience in a space defined by seven screens of cinematic proportions (17’ x 17’, 17’x30’’). Shot with a custom seven-camera rig in Qatar, Cruel Summer was envisioned for this space as a constellation of projections that wrap around the audience through the configuration of the screens.

Save this picture! Section - Courtesy of OMA; Photography by Philippe Ruault

Located along Palm Beach, the pyramid’s canopy is hemmed to open up a panoramic backdrop of Cannes and the Mediterranean while creating an effect of levitation above the red carpet. Filmgoers ascend into the pyramid along a continuous red carpet that widens into the 200 seat auditorium. OMA worked with Cannes-based production team Ar’Scene to design an optimized triangular steel frame to accommodate the pavilion’s unique technical requirements.

Save this picture! Elevated Pyramid - Courtesy of OMA; Photography by Philippe Ruault

“The pyramid subtly distinguishes itself from the context of white event sheds in Cannes while achieving a structure able to suspend the complex screen, sound and projection installations,” partner-in-charge Shohei Shigematsu commented. “We are excited to be involved in developing this prototype for a new cinematic experience, together with other creative entities.”

Save this picture! Pavilion Interior: Cruel Summer Screening - Courtesy of OMA; Photography by Philippe Ruault

The project was designed out of OMA’s New York office with project architect Oana Stanescu in collaboration with Donda and 2×4, Inc. The pavilion will be open for two days of public screenings on May 24 and 25.

Save this picture! Cruel Summer Screening - Courtesy of OMA; Photography by Philippe Ruault

via OMA