MILAN DESIGN WEEK:SHAPED BY AIR
MILAN DESIGN WEEK: SHAPED BY AIR - AN HOMAGE TO LEXUS SUSTAINABILITY, INNOVATION AND DESIGN
Lexus will present Shaped by Air - an installation by acclaimed New York-based artist and architect Suchi Reddy, founder of Reddymade Architecture and Design, at Milan Design Week April 17-23.
Suchi's installation celebrates the collaborators' shared commitment to human-centered, carbon-neutral, and impeccably-crafted design.
This year, the inspiration draws from the Lexus Electrified Sport's quality of being "shaped by air." In addition, the installation will offer guests the opportunity to view presentations of prototypes from the four winners of the 2023 Lexus Design Award.
Following the unveiling of the first iteration of the installation at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami) during Miami Art & Design Week 2022, Reddy has reimagined her vision for the ethereal installation in Milan, providing the perfect complement to its unique context at Superstudio.
Shaped by Air is envisioned as an immersive installation that invites the visitor to discover the vehicle through a forest of composite shapes, which reflect its design as shaped by air, and recalls the organic and leaf like shapes of Henri Matisse.
The installation features a scaled interpretation of the Lexus Electrified Sport activated by movement, sound, and light.
Comprised partially of post-consumer materials, the sculpture's metal mesh conveys a sense of movement. As with the installation in Miami, the pieces first appear abstracted, and as the viewer gets closer, they reveal themselves as the outline of a car.
Reddy, whose design ethos has been described as a "form follows feeling" approach, has carefully calibrated the environment to be a welcoming, contemplative, and enveloping one; the exhibition will convey the feeling of walking through a forest with accompanying sound and light effects.
Central to the Lexus core value is omotenashi - a concept encompassing both hospitality and mindfulness - and the Milan space will feature an elevated lounge that provides an area for rest and reflection.
As a precursor to Milan, the first iteration of Shaped by Air will be shown at the luxury brand's experience space, Intersect by Lexus - Tokyo. The captivating installation will be on view beginning March 17th.
Situated inside the light-filled gallery alongside the Shaped by Air installation is a presentation of prototypes by the four Lexus Design Award 2023 winners, expressing the Lexus belief that design can create the change we want in the world.
"We are thrilled to expand our collaboration with the inimitable Suchi Reddy and see the Electrified Sport come to life alongside the work of our Lexus Design Award winners," said Brian Bolain, global head of Lexus marketing.
"Suchi's commitment to designing for a better tomorrow captures the innovative spirit of the award, and we cannot imagine a more perfect synergy for this year's Milan presentation."
Since 2005, Lexus has created compelling, immersive experiences for visitors at Milan Design Week, partnering with visionary creatives such as Philippe Nigro, Neri Oxman, Sou Fujimoto, Rhizomatics, and Germane Barnes, among others.
EVENT DETAILS:
Duration
Press Day April 17, 2pm to 9pm.
Public Days April 18 to 23, 11am to 9pm
Venue
Superstudio Più (Art Point)
Via Tortona, 27 20144 - Milano, Italy
Exhibits
Installation created by Suchi Reddy
Designs by the four winners of the Lexus Design Award 2023
Organiser
Lexus International
