Lexus exhibits ‘Crystallised Wind’ at Milan Design Week
April 9, 2009 by Matt Brogan
It’s not quite car news in the strictest sense, but it is rather cool if you’re at all interested in art – not that there’s anything wrong with that.
The Lexus L-finesse philosophy has combined with the very finest in contemporary art to present ‘Crystallised Wind’ at this year’s Milan Design Week.
The exhibition will take place in Milan’s Museo della Permanente art gallery from 22 to 26 April as part of the world’s largest design exhibition, the Salone del Mobile di Milano.
Ground-breaking Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto will interpret the Lexus design philosophy ‘L-finesse’ through a dynamic installation that brings together space, sound and lighting.
“Crystallised wind is the result of a conceptual interpretation of the underlying principles of L-finesse design”, explains Sou Fujimoto. “The term wind addresses not only the flow of wind, but also symbolises a flow or current in a greater sense. It is a new horizon where the natural and the artificial coexist in space. I wanted to find a way to give form to that which is formless: to take the flow of air and the passing of time and to represent them in such a way as to explain the essence of the duality of L-finesse. The result is an art form that represents movement yet stillness, and the flow of time in a timeless environment.”
The Lexus exhibit will display an acrylic art piece based on the full-size Lexus LF-A super sports concept car and will also include a specially designed piece of acrylic furniture.
Lexus has participated in the Milan Design Week since 2005, using the platform to express the L-finesse message through different artists and fields. This year Lexus also aims to demonstrate the traditions and innovations of designs crossing each other.
“L-finesse design is much more than a surface approach and is certainly not confined to automotive design, we are trying to look much deeper than that, we use the Japanese influence in that way.” Said Wahei Hirai, Managing Officer of Design Center. “That is also why we like to collaborate with leading artists and designers instead of just working with our own automotive designers. This way, we inspire each other and we can go much more in depth. However, even if we keep the same consistency at the same time we change the way we represent our design philosophy over the time.”
Print it: 
What the f? Lexus has run out of thoughts. Now venturing into abstracts.
What the f? aswell.
WTF?
After trying to read his quote, it’s clear ground-breaking Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto is on acid.
But he’s not alone.
So is Wahei Hirai, Managing Officer of Lexus’ Design Center.
“Crystalised wind” – does that mean Lexus owners farts don’t smell…? or that when they do break wind they exude a pleasant aroma of a rainforest lavender or ocean breeze?