Lexus has unveiled a new installation at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami), Shaped by Air, produced by acclaimed New York-based artist and architect Suchi Reddy, founder of Reddymade Architecture and Design.
The artwork is on display in the Sculpture Garden at ICA Miami until 11 December, during Miami Art and Design Week 2022.
Reddy’s ethereal installation celebrates a commitment to human-centred, carbon-neutral, and impeccably crafted design that she shares with Lexus. It is inspired by the Lexus Electrified Sport, featuring a to-scale interpretation of the car, enveloped by cooling mist and warm light. To create the immersive and dynamic design, Reddy placed the vehicle on a platform, among organic, leaflike shapes in a vibrant shade of green, reminiscent of the cut-outs of Henri Matisse. These abstract, reflective forms complement neighbouring sculptures by Pedro Reyes and artist duo Allora & Calzadilla, and are in harmony with the garden’s greenery.
The sculpture is partly made of recycled and re-used everyday materials and includes mirrored side panels in its steel and aluminium form. As the mist clings to its metal body, a sense of movement is conveyed, with the piece appearing to rise off the ground. Its ever-changing nature is further illuminated in the daytime, when shadows cast unexpected patterns on the surrounding surfaces.
Reflecting Lexus’s commitment to omotenashi, a concept encompassing both hospitality and mindfulness, the Shaped by Air installation invites garden visitors to rest on benches made of eco-terrazzo, a material made with a high percentage of recycled waste products. Their shape is inspired by the rear of the Lexus Electrified Sport and they include wireless charging points, activated by a solar-charged battery.
Reddy has carefully calibrated the environment to be a welcoming, contemplative, and constantly evolving one.
“Lexus’s steadfast commitment to the arts and to excellence in craftsmanship has been an inspiring departure point for the installation,” she said. “Shaped by Air animates the courtyard using mist, light, and metallic forms to create an ethereal installation that both reflects and is transformed by the natural elements of the sculpture garden, blurring the boundaries between art and design.”
Since 2005, Lexus has pioneered electrification in the luxury market. With the introduction of the Lexus Electrified Sport, it continues to push the boundaries of technology and craft with its commitment to sustainability and a consideration for the evolving needs of transportation and lifestyles worldwide. Suchi’s public installation, the brand’s fifth immersive experience for Miami Art and Design Week, highlights the potential of electrification and emphasises Lexus’s vision for a future that is human-centred, carbon-neutral, and focused on craftsmanship and quality.
“We are thrilled to partner with the inimitable Suchi Reddy and see the Lexus Electrified Sport come to life through the lens of her human-centred approach to design,” said Brian Bolain, Lexus’s global head of marketing. “The Lexus Electrified Sport is a visceral expression of a Lexus Electrified future. Suchi has brought that vision to life, using mist and light to give it movement, underscoring the exciting future of Lexus design and performance dynamics.”
Alex Gartenfeld, ICA Miami’s Artistic Director, added: “ICA Miami is committed to reducing its climate footprint by adapting best practices for sustainability. This includes implementing carbon offsets for major exhibitions and partnering with organisations that are working towards carbon neutrality. We are delighted to align with organisations equally committed to a carbon neutral future, Lexus and Reddymade, in providing a platform for innovative work by Suchi Reddy.”