Lexus “Anticipation” at Milan Design Week 2016
Lexus will present Lexus – An Encounter with Anticipation at this year’s Milan Design Week, an exhibit created in a unique collaboration between the Studio Formafantasma design team and the Michelin star-winning chef Yoji Tokuyoshi. The venue will be the Spazio Lexus – Torneria in Tortona, open for viewing from 12 to 17 April.
Lexus will offer an unexpected and unmatched experience, inviting visitors to a world filled with Anticipation. They will discover the essence of Lexus and witness how Lexus technology and design philosophy are translated into aesthetic, emotional and amazing experiences.
Formafantasma will design and install the exhibit space. The young designers at this successful Amsterdam studio have earned acclaim for their product designs, including a nomination for Designer of the Year in the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2014. Chef Yoji Tokuyoshi is a rising star in the culinary world, renowned for his creativity and innovation. His new Milan restaurant, Ristorante Tokuyoshi, was awarded a Michelin star just 10 months after opening. The collaboration of these Europe-based creative geniuses is perfectly aligned with the aspirations of the Lexus – An Encounter with Anticipation exhibit to explore new design opportunities.
Speaking about the inspiration they found when visiting Lexus in Japan, Formafantasma said: “We were impressed by how Lexus is committed to excellence in craftsmanship, integrity in its production and responsibility in its use of technology. We felt the openness and honesty of the brand come alive as the foundation of anticipation. This led us to the design concept of transparency. Transparency anticipates a future that is open and honest, and that engages society to reach common goals of sustainable behavior and a progressive lifestyle.”
On the subject of transparency, Chef Yoji Tokuyoshi said: “Transparency is not just about being clear and lucent. Being transparent is sometimes an invisible thing and makes you think. This builds anticipation, and increases the joy of the reveal. I would like to express this concept through the tasting experience.”
Anticipation is also the theme for this year’s Lexus Design Award, an international competition to foster ideas that contribute to society, and to support up-and-coming creators whose work can contribute to shaping a better future. Creative works by the 12 award finalists will be displayed at the Lexus venue during Milan Design Week.
ENDS
Note to editors: –
More information and pictures can be found at:
Lexus – An Encounter with Anticipation: http://www.lexus-int.com/lexus-design/
Lexus Design Award website: www.lexusdesignaward.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexusdesignaward/ @lexusdesignaward
Official hashtags: #MilanDesignWeek; #LDAnticipate; #LexusDesignEvent; #LDEncounters
DESIGNER PROFILES
Formafantasma – Designer
Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin, Italian designers based in Amsterdam, are Formafantasma, an innovative design team whose work is characterised 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 been acquired for permanent collections in major museums, including MoMA in New York and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.
Yoji Tokuyoshi – Chef
Yoji Tokuyoshi is recognised 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 the celebrated restaurant earn its second and third Michelin stars. In early 2014 he established his own restaurant in Milan featuring uniquely re-interpreted Italian cuisine that he 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.
