Lexus creates digital installations to foster connection at Milan design week

A series of interactive installations exploring the connection between humans and technology have opened at car brand Lexus' latest showcase during Milan design week.

For this year's exhibition, Lexus created a pair of insulations based on its Black Butterfly concept – a dual-interface cockpit control system developed for the LF-ZC concept car.

Exhibited at the Superstudio Più, the immersive installations were designed to explore "how future technologies will bring man, machine and mobility closer together".

Creative agency Six Inc and design firm Studeo teamed up with Lexus to create A-Un.

Drawing on the Japanese concept of breathing in harmony, known as Aun no kokyo, the installation synchronised visitors' heartbeats with a digital interface to create a "connection between people, society and the world".

A large screen mimics the winged form of Lexus' Black Butterfly interface, displaying moving images.

In front of this, visitors were invited to stand on particular spots where their heartbeat could be measured before being depicted through moving elements on the screen.

"What we wanted to express through this installation is the multitude of ways people can connect with other people for society," the studios told Dezeen.

"The very important concept behind this project is Aun no kokyo, or instantaneous connection and breathing."

"This is something that is very much present in Japanese traditional arts, and it's something that connects individual to individual or society to individual although it is invisible," they added.

Alongside this installation, the second piece named Discover Together was completed by creative studio Bascule Inc and a team of designers from the Northeastern University alongside members of the in-house Lexus design team.

The installation was divided into three sections, which were each composed of a digital screen fronted by a row of interactive Black Butterfly interfaces.

Drawing on the Black Butterfly concept, Bascule Inc sought to establish a new relationship between car and driver in the installation's first section.

This led to the concept of an expanded Earth perspective – or Earthspective – where visitors view themselves on the screen as if "watching down from space" on a digital live stream captured by the International Space Station.

"Normally when you drive a car, you are just focused on the fact that you want to drive to your goal," the studio said. "So we wanted to provide another goal or another motive to sit in the carriage by adding this new perspective."

Designers from the Northeastern University created the second section named Our Energy Nexus. Here, visitors were able to contribute to a map that measures air pollution levels in real time.

For the third section, the in-house Lexus designers created Discover Your Butterfly, which is informed by the butterfly-effect and encouraged visitors to create their own digital butterfly through the interface.

According to Lexus, the exhibition builds on the legacy of the Lexus Design Award – an annual international competition established by the brand to support the next generation of creatives.

Dezeen recently rounded up the best new lighting designs and funky chairs designed by emerging designers on show during Milan design week.

The photography is courtesy of Lexus.

The A-Un and Discover Together installations run from 8 to 13 April 2025 during Milan design week. See our Milan design week 2025 guide on Dezeen Events Guide for information about the many other exhibitions, installations and talks taking place throughout the week.

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