Anticipating the future, this exhibit conveys how Lexus imagines what is yet unseen and delivers new forms of surprise and enchantment to create amazing experiences.

Brussels, Belgium -

DESIGNER

FORMAFANTASMA

Andrea Trimarchi (b1983) and Simone Farresin (b1980), Italian designers based in Amsterdam, are Formafantasma, an innovative design team with work characterized by experimental materials investigations.

Formafantasma explores the relationship between traditional and local culture, critical approaches to sustainability and the significance of objects as cultural conduits.

Bridging craft, industry, object and user, they have forged links between their research-based practice and a wider design industry, and have received commissions from a wide range of renowned fashion and retail brands.

Their work has also been published internationally and has been acquired to be in the permanent collections in major museums, including the MoMA in New York and London's Victoria and Albert Museum.

DESIGN CONCEPT

TRANSPARENCY

Taking transparency as the concept for its space and installation design, Formafantasma conveys the aesthetics behind Lexus’ forward-looking vision through subtle nuances of color, light and form.

One representation of this is the use of translucent walls inspired by Japanese shoji throughout the exhibition space. These walls or doors of paper fixed over a lattice frame of wood allow light to pass through. This reflects an age-old Japanese aesthetic and also reveals shadows or shapes of people outside the room. This allows one to ANTICIPATE a guest’s arrival and prepare to welcome them in the spirit of OMOTENASHI.

GARDEN

Lexus creates anticipation and invites guests to enter by walking beneath a series of gates like those found at some Japanese shrines before emerging in an open garden space. From the garden, two dramatic portals lead to experiences that enable visitors to be, immersed in the exhibit’s theme of Anticipation.

AREA 1: DISCOVERING CRAFTSMANSHIP

Lexus enables visitors to discover its commitment to craftsmanship and building fine cars in this area. The 16 beautiful stools positioned here are finished using the same paint process as the Lexus LF-FC flagship concept, which was introduced at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. By viewing and touching these stools, visitors are able to experience the quality and depth of the color.

The winning designs of Lexus Design Award 2016 evoke a sense of anticipation, inviting visitors to walk through and discover the next generation of creators.

FOSTERING THE FUTURE OF DESIGN

The four prototypes and eight panels are presented here within a simple yet sophisticated space. Also on display is a selection of previous Lexus Design Award winners, along with stories of their progress after being entered in prior competitions.

JUDGES & MENTORS

JUDGES

Paola Antonelli / Curator

Aric Chen / Curator

Toyo Ito / Architect

Birgit Lohmann / Chief Editor of designboom

Alice Rawsthorn / Design Commentator

Tokuo Fukuichi / President of Lexus International

MENTORS

Neri & Hu / Architects and Interdisciplinary Designers

Max Lamb / Designer

Elena Manferdini / Designer and Architect

Snarkitecture / Artists and Architects

AGAR PLASTICITY – A POTENTIAL USEFULNESS OF AGAR FOR PACKAGING AND MORE

12 FINALISTS - PROTOTYPES

AGAR PLASTICITY – A POTENTIAL USEFULNESS OF AGAR FOR PACKAGING AND MORE

AGAR PLASTICITY – A POTENTIAL USEFULNESS OF AGAR FOR PACKAGING AND MORE is a project exploring how agar, a gelatinous material obtained from marine algae, can be used as an environmentally friendly packaging material alternative to plastic.

AMAM

Kosuke Araki (JAPAN)/ Noriaki Maetani (JAPAN)/ Akira Muraoka (JAPAN)

Mentored by Max Lamb

Kosuke Araki, Noriaki Maetani and Akira Muraoka, studied at the Product Design Department, Tama Art University, during the same period and formed a design group called “AMAM” in 2015. Kosuke (Design Products) and Noriaki (Innovation Design Engineering) each acquired a Master of Arts at Royal College of Art the same year.

DADA

12 FINALISTS - 4PROTOTYPE

DADA

DADA is a natural toy blocks that anticipate children’s future and personality by looking at what blocks they pick up and how they assemble them.

Myungsik Jang (Korea)

Mentored by Neri & Hu

Myungsik Jang specializes in Industrial Design at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. He is inspired from things surrounding him like nature and animals and wants to tell stories through his work using vitality. His work is based on craft and bricolage designs.

SHAPE SHIFTERS

12 FINALISTS - PROTOTYPE

SHAPE SHIFTERS

SHAPE SHIFTERS is a special cut of garment, applying modular principles to textiles, which allows you to create different fashions as you like.

Angelene Laura Fenuta (Canada/ Italy)

Mentored by Elena Manferdini

Angelene Laura Fenuta, founded ANGELËNE in 2015, during her Masters in Material Futures at Central Saint Martins. Her practice interrogates fashion, while attempting to discover a more 'sustainable' option. ANGELËNE builds upon core female wardrobe components, while being inspired by architectural construction and 18th century aristocratic dress.

TRACE

12 FINALISTS - PROTOTYPE

TRACE

TRACE is a clock that uses a liquid with UV rays and discoloration properties allowing us to visualize the passing time.

STUDIO AYASKAN

Begum Ayaskan (Turkey)/ Bike Ayaskan (Turkey)

Mentored by Snarkitecture

Begum and Bike Ayaskan are a twin designer duo, having graduated from Royal College of Art, with a passion to explore the relation between nature, humans, and objects. Their vision is to bring people closer to nature and nature closer to design, and to create dynamic pieces that change and evolve with time.

LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016

12 FINALISTS – PANEL

ANIKNOWN

ANIKNOWN is a creation of clothes for six types of animal, choosing the materials according to each one’s features, behavior and habitat.

Ayami Marugata (Japan)

BIO - VIDE

BIO - BIDE is a product, such as tables or envelopes, designed using fallen leaves. It is a visualization of the concept that all things return to earth.

Takuma Yamazaki (Japan)

AREA 1: LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016

12 FINALISTS – PANEL

DROP BOX

DROP BOX utilizes aerodynamics to allow critical supplies to be airdropped safely in disaster areas without requiring a parachute.

Ding Dong & Ma Jincai & Peter Luo & Huang Junxi

-Ding Dong (China)

-Ma Jincai (China)

-Peter Luo (China)

-Huang Junxi (China)

HEXAGON

HEXAGON is an umbrella that uses magnets to connect to other umbrellas, encouraging interaction between people.

Chulin Yang (China)

AREA 1: LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016

12 FINALISTS – PANEL

PLANTS-SKIN

PLANTS-SKIN is a planter made of a colored mortar and special ink that visualizes when plants need to be watered.

Hiroto Yoshizoe (Japan)

PROJECT PLAY

PROJECT PLAY is a first-of-its-kind lamp powered by wireless technology and realized through the creation of magnetic rubber.

Oliver Staiano (United Kingdom)

AREA 1: LEXUS DESIGN AWARD 2016

12 FINALISTS – PANEL

RESOLUTION OF SOUND LOCATION

RESOLUTION OF SOUND LOCATION is a headphone device composed of super directive microphones and speakers that can determine the sound source and adjust volume.

Owls

-Takato Sasaki (Japan)

-Yuki Shinohara (Japan)

SLOW DOOR

SLOW DOOR is conceived as an assembly of cubic components forming a spatial mechanism that delays the transition through a doorway. It allows us to appreciate the time and space created by the experience.

Deepak Jawahar & Irina Bogdan

-Deepak Jawahar (India)

-Irina Bogdan (Romania)

AREA 2: REVEALING THE UNEXPECTED

Lexus brings shape to previously unimagined designs, and does so in unexpected fashion. In the center of a room with walls inspired by Japanese shoji, a dynamic floating three-dimensional image of the LF-FC takes shape in an unexpected way. The design creates a sense of anticipation as the viewer watches the concept assume physical dimensions. The display pays homage to the constant search for perfection demonstrated by the Lexus design team as they anticipate the future of mobility.

AREA 3: SENSING INNOVATION

Lexus continually anticipates the needs of people and the environment as it demonstrates a keen sense for forward thinking and innovation. This includes applications of clean technology, such as the advanced hydrogen fuel cell system that powers the LF-FC. It generates electricity with clear water as its only emission. A similar system lights the installation’s kinetic sculpture.

Clear water then becomes the inspiration for the culinary treats as Chef Yoji Tokuyoshi integrates water’s buoyancy and transparent properties to create a unique taste experience served with the spirit of Japanese hospitality.

CHEF

YOJI TOKUYOSHI

Chef Yoji Tokuyoshi is recognized as one of Milan’s most innovative chefs. During almost a decade at Osteria Francescana under the tutelage of Chef Massimo Bottura, Tokuyoshi rapidly rose to the position of sous chef and helped that celebrated restaurant earn its second and third Michelin stars. Setting out on his own in early 2014 he established arestaurant in Milan featuring uniquely re-interpreted Italian cuisine that Tokuyoshi termed “Cucina Italiana Contaminata”. In just 10 months the new restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. With technique and creativity, Tokuyoshi offers an entirely new dining experience that serves very personal food to each individual diner.

“BUOYANCY”?- THE POWER OF WATER -

Water possesses great energy. Not only does it sustain life, it is also capable of transporting objects over vast distances. The LF-FC anticipates a society that uses hydrogen as an energy source and produces clean water as its only emission. Water here as a motif leads to this awareness in a surprising and delightful manner. “BUOYANCY” presents nasturtium leaves topped with a sweet and sour berry paste floating on a pool of clear water. The two flavors mix in the mouth, delivering an unexpected taste experience.

KEY INGREDIENTS

Nasturtium, prunes, shiso leaves, salt, blueberries, sugar, glucose, xantan gum.

“TRANSPARENT” - TRANSPARENCY SERVED WITH A TWIST –

Chef Yoji Tokuyoshi uses ingredients that serve as a metaphor for something that may be seen or may remain imperceptible, depending on one’s perspective. As the visitor consumes the clear seafood broth, a transparent ball of natural gelatin is revealed, delivering an unanticipated treat as it fills the mouth with a fresh citrus flavor. This echoes the way Lexus envisions the future in delivering an experience that excites and surprises.

KEY INGREDIENTS

Fish broth, agar, mandarine, sugar, glucose.

LEXUS LF-FC FLAGSHIP CONCEPT

The LF-FC flagship concept is a visionary new vehicle designed to bring surprise and evoke emotion, while expressing Lexus’ view of progressive luxury and its high-tech vision for the not so distant future. At the heart of the LF-FC is a high output hydrogen-powered fuel cell system that delivers all-wheel-drive with optimal front-rear weight distribution. Designs inspired by the LF-FC can be seen throughout the Lexus – An Encounter With Anticipation exhibit.

http://www.lexus.com/concept/LFFC/

ARITA PORCELAIN

PRESS DAY ONLY

Dedicated to simplicity and quality, Chef Tokuyoshi chooses to use specially commissioned Arita porcelain in his own restaurant. In recognition of this 400-year history and consistent with Chef Tokuyoshi’s constant pursuit of authenticity and refinement, Lexus has prepared an original set of Arita porcelain to make the tasting experience simply amazing.

Arita, birthplace of Japanese ceramics, will celebrate the 400th anniversary of its porcelain industry in 2016.

In 1616, quality ceramic rocks were found in Arita's Izumiyama mountain, giving birth to Japan’s first locally produced porcelain. From the latter part of the 17th century until the early part of the 18th century, several million pieces of Arita Porcelain were exported to Europe and were highly acclaimed.

LEXUS DESIGN ACTIVITIES IN MILAN 2005 – 2009

2005

Lexus L-finesse ? Japanese art meets automotive design

In collaboration with Junya Ishigami, Hiroshi Senju and Kazuyo Sejima

2006

Tokujin Yoshioka x Lexus L-finesse

In collaboration with Tokujin Yoshioka

2007

Lexus L-finesse – Invisible Garden

In collaboration with Kumiko Inui and Norimichi Hirakawa

2008

Lexus L-finesse ? elastic diamond

In collaboration with nendo

2009

Lexus L-finesse ? crystallized wind

In collaboration with Sosuke Fujimoto

LEXUS DESIGN ACTIVITIES IN MILAN 2013 – 2015

2013

LEXUS DESIGN AMAZING 2013 MILAN

– amazing flow –

In collaboration with Toyo Ito and Akihisa Hirata

2014

LEXUS DESIGN AMAZING 2014 MILAN

In collaboration with

Fabio Novembre – We Dance

Nao Tamura and - Interconnection

MIT Media Lab Tangible Media Group - Transform

2015

LEXUS – A JOURNEY OF THE SENSES

In collaboration with Philippe Nigro and Hajime Yoneda

ABOUT LEXUS

Since its debut in 1989, Lexus has earned a worldwide reputation for high-quality products and exemplary customer service. Lexus is the hybrid leader among luxury brands, offering hybrids that provide the best in innovative technology and premier luxury. The evolution of Lexus is reflected in the progressive designs of its new vehicles. The grille, dynamic light treatments, and sculptured lines create a distinctive look of luxury for Lexus.