Lexus returns to Milan Design Week to unveil A-Un, an immersive installation exploring the future of next-generation human-machine mobility. This captivating exhibit delves into Lexus’ vision of software that anticipates the future, showcasing the unique experiential value of personalized interaction through cars. A-Un is inspired by Lexus’ next-generation cockpit interface for electric vehicles, Black Butterfly, and represents how the synergy of hardware and software can redefine the automotive experience.
Inspired by the traditional Japanese concept of "A-Un no Kokyū" or harmonized breath (a phenomenon where two entities instinctively synchronize their movements and emotions), A-Un captures the spirit of mutual understanding through perfectly synchronized interactions.
Step into a compelling space featuring the Black Butterfly, a massive hand-woven screen that emerges within the installation. This structure, meticulously crafted by hand over three months, stands 3 meters high, 10 meters wide, and 4 meters deep, and is made from woven threads incorporating approximately 35 kilometers of bamboo fiber, a testament to Lexus’ commitment to honoring traditional Japanese materials and craftsmanship.
The installation comes to life as visitors approach, responding to their heartbeats to create a unique, immersive experience. As a visitor’s heartbeat synchronizes with the 1/f fluctuations sampled from nature, the Black Butterfly becomes a medium for discovery, allowing visitors to witness the seamless connection between people, society, and the world. Through the Black Butterfly, people and vehicles engage in a continuous journey of learning and evolving together, discovering new possibilities and one-of-a-kind moments.
A-Un is a collaboration between Lexus and Tokyo-based creative agency SIX and design studio STUDEO. The partnership brings together innovative minds to explore the possibilities of the human-machine connection in next-generation mobility.
Dates: April 8 - 13, 2025
Venue: Superstudio Più, Daylight Space, Via Tortona, 27, 20144 - Milan, Italy
Exhibition: A-Un Installation
Takeshi Nozoe founded creative company, SIX Inc. in 2013. As a creative director, Nozoe takes on the challenge of creating new forms of communication and real-world experiences with brands both in Japan and overseas, including Toyota GR and Lexus. He has worked on a number of projects that have expanded the boundaries of expression through the fusion of technology, including spatial expression using 1,000 drones, the music video Obsession for Smoothness created in collaboration with OK Go, and the Space Balloon Project, a real-time interaction with the stratosphere. To date, he has received over 100 international creative awards, including a Cannes Lions Gold Award and a New York Festival Gold Award. SIX's original product, the COTODAMA Lyric Speaker, is sold in 44 countries worldwide, demonstrating high recognition for its innovation in product development.
A graduate of the Department of Design Informatics at Musashino Art University, Ikezawa founded creative studio, STUDEO in 2020. Approaching brand strategy from the perspective of art direction, he seamlessly integrates concept development, product design including packaging and logo design, and the planning of communication tools such as commercials, graphics, and spatial design to create a cohesive brand world. In 2018, Ikezawa held a solo exhibition BEYOND THE CRAFT in New York, and in 2024, participated as a designer in The Trio Asia Posters at the Mexico International Poster Biennial.
His works have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Tokyo ADC Award, JAGDA New Designer Award, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, ONE SHOW, and New York ADC. He is a member of the Tokyo Art Directors Club and the Japan Graphic Designers Association.