Lexus has introduced “8 Minutes and 20 Seconds,” a captivating installation by Dutch solar designer Marjan van Aubel, now showcased in the sculpture garden at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami). This vibrant solar sculpture reimagines the Lexus Future Zero-emission Catalyst (LF-ZC) concept car through the lens of van Aubel’s solar cell artistry. The installation, named after the time it takes sunlight to reach Earth, marks van Aubel’s debut public project in Miami and was brought to life in collaboration with spatial and experience design firm Random Studio.
Crafted using Organic Photovoltaics (OPV), “8 Minutes and 20 Seconds” transforms the LF-ZC into a graphic pattern design, reflecting the concept car’s true-to-size representation. The installation responds to viewers’ presence, activating light patterns and ripples as they move around, offering an interactive experience. At intervals, the sculpture comes alive with cascading light and a synchronized melody, mirroring the dynamics of a moving car. Throughout the day, the solar-powered sculpture absorbs energy, storing it in batteries to sustain its captivating displays.
The ambient melody emitted by the installation harmonizes with the environment, featuring warm string instruments, soft piano, and chimes, occasionally enriched with birdsong and bamboo notes—a nod to the LF-ZC’s original bamboo interior. On display until December 17th, “8 Minutes and 20 Seconds” is part of Lexus’ ongoing partnership with ICA Miami, aiming to inspire visitors during Miami Art & Design Week.
Renowned for her advocacy of sustainability in art and design, van Aubel previously mentored winners of the 2023 Lexus Design Award. The LF-ZC concept car, the inspiration behind the installation, embodies Lexus’s commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainable design. Marjan van Aubel expressed her joy in bringing the LF-ZC concept car to life and narrating a new story of generating energy beautifully through this partnership.
ICA Miami, dedicated to environmental sustainability, welcomes van Aubel’s work as a significant step in advancing innovative sustainable design, emphasizing the global drive for contemporary ecological solutions. In conjunction with the installation, Lexus will host the Lexus Art Series: Art and Innovation talks with Whitewall, featuring insightful discussions on light’s power in reimagining systems and design’s role in the public arena.
Courtesy : https://global.toyota