At this year’s highly anticipated Miami Art & Design Week, Lexus has revealed Liminal Cycles, a multi-sensory and responsive installation developed in partnership with Crafting Plastics, a research and design studio based in Bratislava. This marks the automotive brand’s ninth year showcasing its design commitment at the annual event and its third year collaborating with the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami). Inspired by the Lexus LF-ZC Battery Electric Vehicle concept car, the installation explores material innovation, responsive technology, and personalization.
Crafting Plastics was tasked with creating a sculpture based on the concept car along with three additional satellite sculptures. Founder Vlasta Kubušová describes the project as a creatively liberating experience, allowing them to experiment with biomaterials and interactions. This project marks Crafting Plastics‘ debut in the automotive field, having previously focused on interior design.
Despite not seeing the concept car in person, the team collaborated closely with Lexus’s head of design to grasp the project’s objectives. The goal was to enhance the car’s responsiveness and environmental sustainability, aligning with Crafting Plastics‘ values. The studio’s use of bio-based polymers, particularly their proprietary 3D-printed bioplastic Nuatan®, showcases their commitment to sustainable materials.
The sculpture features a UV-responsive material skin that changes color and moves in response to environmental stimuli and viewer proximity. This dynamic element symbolizes the harmony between nature and technology, offering a unique interactive experience for viewers. Crafting Plastics aimed to bridge the gap between humans and their surroundings, creating a work of art that reacts to its environment in real-time. Kubušová stated that the goal was for the sculpture to give the appearance of a living entity, with the design opening up and pulsating as one approaches it, almost as if it is breathing.
The three smaller satellite sculptures were chosen to represent abstract aspects of the concept car’s interior, focusing on the steering wheel, the headrests of the car seats, and the Lexus logo.
One of the sculptures, resembling a flower with a textured surface, represents the steering wheel and is designed for physical interaction. It reacts to sound as one approaches it and changes its „breathing“ when touched. This sculpture can also detect multiple touches and responds accordingly, promoting a sense of collaboration.
Another sculpture reimagines the headrest of the car seats as lounge seating and incorporates a unique scent for a sensory experience. The final sculpture is wind-activated and changes in response to UV radiation, eventually revealing the Lexus logo.
Kubušová emphasized the challenges faced during the project, noting the studio’s commitment to innovation and avoiding repetition. The collaboration pushed the boundaries of what is possible with materials and software, showcasing the potential for scalability and adaptability.
The willingness of brands like Lexus to embrace new materials is crucial for their widespread adoption, as people will be more inclined to use them when companies demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. The partnership with Lexus highlights the compatibility of luxury and sustainability, challenging misconceptions about the use of innovative materials in premium products.