TOKYO, April 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus International today announced "Sense-Wear" of Emanuela Corti and Ivan Parati (Caravan) as the first-ever Grand Prix winner of the Lexus Design Award. An elite judging committee selected the winner based on the prototype work and presentations of four finalists focused around the theme of "Senses." Launched in 2013, the Lexus Design Award is an international design competition to foster the next generation of creators shaping a better future through design.
This year's Lexus Design Award drew a large number of submissions, a total of 1,171 entries from 72 countries, and a wide variety of original ideas. In keeping with the theme, many submissions appealed to the five senses or emotional, rather than the concrete, aspects of the human experience.
On April 14, during Milan Design Week, the world's largest design exhibition, Lexus International will publicly display the work of the winner, along with the other finalists, at "Lexus - A Journey of the Senses" at Spazio Lexus at Torneria. The exhibit will offer an experience that awakens the senses to the excitement of the Lexus journey. The exhibit was created by world-renowned space designer Philippe Nigro in collaboration with acclaimed chef Hajime Yoneda.
Lexus – A Journey of the Senses
"Lexus - A Journey of the Senses" will present a sensory experience on the theme of "Senses," a concept that is fundamental to the Lexus brand. When space designer Philippe Nigro visited a Lexus plant, he was highly impressed to learn how much care goes into not just the outer appearance of the vehicles but also into the unseen internal details. This insight led him to the "Inside-Out'" concept that enables visitors to experience beauty from every angle. Revealing what is normally hidden, Lexus invites visitors to make discoveries and have new experiences in each of the three zones.
Zone 1: Engaging the Senses
A special version of the LF-SA concept, which was introduced at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show, will be on display in this zone. The car, placed in the center of a cocoon, will be surrounded by numerous convex mirrors that cause unexpected reflections and illumination to create a flow of motion, stimulating the imagination.
Zone 2: Exploring the Senses
This zone will display the Grand Prix work "Sense-Wear" by Emanuela Corti and Ivan Parati (Caravan) and work of the 11 other finalists, as well as the four prototypes and eight panels. The space has a quiet, soothing atmosphere that will allow visitors to fully experience the originality and creativity of each work, and time to reflect on its potential to shape the future. Some of the prototypes will offer an interactive experience for visitors.
Zone 3: Experience the Five Senses
In this collaboration between Philippe Nigro and Hajime Yoneda, a tasting experience will be added to the sensory journey. In creating a unique taste sensation, chef Yoneda, a Lexus owner himself, drew on his personal experiences of driving pleasure and traveling through nature, where all five senses are at their sharpest.
Scene 1
This scene was inspired by chef Yoneda's own joy in driving in a Lexus, hurtling through the falling rain drops and feeling the exhilaration of becoming one with the natural beauty of a rainy day. Inside the cocoon, visitors will see and hear a startlingly realistic illusion of falling rain. As the "raindrops," made out of sparkling candy, dissolve in the visitors' mouths, they will experience a refreshing sensation, mimicking the feeling and sound of falling rain.
Scene 2
In this scene, chef Yoneda takes inspiration from the Lexus cockpit, envisioning the beauty of nature from the inside out and enveloping visitors with a sense of comfort, liberation, and unity with nature. As they bite into the cacao butter crust of the "life force of a tree," the aroma of fresh, verdant greenery will wash over their senses. Hearing the quiet sounds of a forest around them, they will experience the beauty of a tree from the inside out.
Scene 3
As the culmination of the journey of the senses, this scene embodies chef Yoneda's respect for Lexus' commitment to excellence in car-making and its luxury brand spirit of hospitality. Looking down from starry space at images of the Earth, visitors will drink the warm "Earth soup" with its life-giving essence of vegetables, meat, and fish. They will sense a glow from within as the soup's warmth spreads through their bodies.
Additionally, a two-minute interactive, virtual walkthrough video of the exhibit will be available on the Lexus International website (http://www.lexus-int.com/lexus-design/virtual-journey/) on April 15 (JST 16:00). The video will highlight each zone and provide a feel for the sensory experiences at the exhibit together with visitor reactions posted on social media.
Official hashtags: #MilanDesignWeek #LexusDesignAward
Lexus Design Award 2015 Entries Selected for Prototype Development
Title
ANIMAL MASKS
Designer
Keita Ebidzuka (Japan)
Description
ANIMAL MASKS allow wearers to see the world through animals' eyes, evoking a mythical world where symbolism meets reality.
Mentors
Neri & Hu
Title
Diomedeidae
Designers
Adriano Alfaro (Italy)
Daiki Nakamori (Japan)
Gaetano Mirko Vatiero (Italy)
Description
Generating electricity from its own flapping movements, Diomedeidae is a kinetic sculpture; the motion and light of which appeal to the senses.
Mentor
Arthur Huang
Title
LUZ
Designer
Marina Mellado Mendieta (Spain)
Description
LUZ uses emotional lighting technology to create an environment appropriate to any weather or climatic condition.
Mentor
Max Lamb
Title
Sense-Wear
Designers
Emanuela Corti (Caravan) and Ivan Parati (Italy)
Description
Sense-Wear is a collection of garments and accessories that emphasize use of human senses.
Mentor
Robin Hunicke
Lexus Design Award 2015 Panel Exhibits
Title
Braille Reader
Designer
Juchun Jung (South Korea)
Description
The Braille Reader allows people with vision impairment to read printed materials, bridging the senses of sight and touch.
Title
>crosswalk<
Designers
Naoki Kaminaka and Ryo Yamaguchi (Japan)
(KAMINAKANAOKIproject2015)
Description
>crosswalk< is a crosswalk design featuring arrows that guide pedestrians, thus allowing smoother crossing.
Title
Embodiment of Fractal
Designer
Hiroyuki Morita (Japan)
Description
Embodiment of Fractal invites the viewer to experience the fresh visual and tactile experience of the fractal growth of a natural forest.
Title
Here Comes the Sun
Designers
Chun-Fu Chen and Chi-Ming Pao (Taiwan)
(Department of Product Design, Shu-Te University)
Description
Here Comes the Sun is a heater that simulates sunlight coming through a window providing warmth and hope.
Title
INSTAMP
Designer
Yuzo Azu (Japan)
Description
Applying traditional East Asian brushwork principles, INSTAMP uses pressure and angle of touch to give emotion and artistic effect to Western lettering.
Title
Leather?
Designer
Amon Matsuo (Japan)
Description
Through the application of traditional Japanese papermaking/molding techniques to powdered shoemaking by-products, a new unique material emerges.
Title
Mnote, Mnemonic Note
Designer
Benjamin Xue (Singapore)
Description
Mnote is a writing pad designed to take advantage of our senses to improve memory and help us retain important information.
Title
yamaori taniori tent
Designer
Iyo Hasegawa (Japan)
Description
Inspired by origami, this tent appeals to users' senses as it is transformed from a flat sheet to a visually appealing shelter.
SOURCE Lexus
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