Liminal Cycles

Through our collaboration with Lexus, we presented Liminal Cycles, a series of interactive, sensory-responsive sculptural pieces displayed at ICA Miami 2024. This four-part installation engaged viewers through sight, smell, sound, and touch, incorporating reactive color changes, amplified soundscapes, and aromatic mists. It depicted the Lexus LF-ZC concept car as a living organism harmoniously integrated with its surroundings.

At the heart of the installation, the central sculpture featured a Lexus concept car that expanded and contracted with breath-like movements. The car’s UV-responsive material skin dynamically changed color in real-time, responding to fluctuations in ultraviolet radiation. This kinetic sculpture pulsated in reaction to visitors' presence, creating an immersive connection between the artwork and its audience. 

Nearby, a second piece transformed the contours of the vehicle’s steering wheel into a tactile, flower-shaped sculpture. As visitors approached, the sculpture emitted an audio soundscape, inviting interaction. Seating sculptures inspired by the LF-ZC’s headrest added another sensory dimension, releasing a Lexus-inspired aromatic mist. This multisensory experience offered guests a serene sanctuary within the sculpture garden. Finally, an undulating lattice-like sculpture at the edge of the garden revealed the Lexus logo in a UV-sensitive bioplastic, shifting in response to the breeze.

Each element of Liminal Cycles explored themes of form, intention, sustainability, and responsiveness. By engaging the senses, the installation invited viewers to pause, connect, and breathe with their environment.

This project also reflected the evolving concept of Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs)—cars with software-enabled personalization and adaptability. The installation's environmental responsiveness, from UV rays to motion and scent, symbolized the interconnectedness of all things, highlighting design innovation as a pathway toward a sustainable and harmonious future.