'Shaped by Air': Suchi Reddy’s forested invitation to a multisensorial experience

The future is virtual, or rather, the future, as envisioned in popular culture, is virtual. Whether blueprinting a utopian future, or narrating dystopian tales, technology stands out as a distinct character in its own right. With the more recent onslaught of artificial intelligence in all spheres of life, the possibility of a future lavished with automated entities does not seem like a distant thought or an impossibility. Neither does the possibility of a dystopia, populated by evil robots firm on establishing dominance over the human race, at the expense of our naturally verdant and undulating landscapes. Hence, provisions must be made, in creative disciplines, just as urgently as in other fields, to utilise these newly found and popularised futuristic services in manners that promote and enable a human-centred, carbon neutral, ecologically sane future.

But, what kinds of spaces can and must platform these innovations, these ideas? We are past the times when discourses pertaining to the future, technology, and the welfare of sentient beings are relegated to close-door discussions and exclusive forums. It is time to bring these discourses to the forefront, to the most popular events and spaces—in an attempt to make them more accessible, involve those visiting, and intrigue others. The upcoming Milan Design Week, one of the largest design fairs in the world, hence, is a legitimate ground for such discourses and expositions.

For Milan Design Week 2023, luxury vehicle brand Lexus intends to showcase Shaped by Air, an immersive installation created by New York-based architect and artist Suchi Reddy. The large-scale installation by Reddy—who is also the founder of her eponymous practice Reddymade Architecture and Design—is inspired by the shape of Lexus Electrified Sport. The sculpture—a forest of composite shapes evocative of the brand’s electric car—is both an interpretation of the brand’s attempt to design electric automotive vehicles for the future that cut back on noise and pollution, as well as an experiential set-up to convey the idea of Lexus Electrified Sport’s concept and quality of being “shaped by air." Moving through the organically shaped leaf-like fixtures—which are activated by movement, sound and light—will actuate the installation, permitting, hence, a multisensorial experience. Reddy’s installation in the Tortona district will be accompanied by the presentation of prototypes from the four winners of Lexus Design Award 2023—Pavels Hedström, Jiaming Liu, Temporary Office, and Kyeongho Park & Yejin Heo.

"We are thrilled to expand our collaboration with the inimitable Suchi Reddy and see the Electrified Sport come to life alongside the work of our Lexus Design Award winners," shared Brian Bolain, Global Head of Marketing, Lexus. “Suchi’s commitment to designing for a better tomorrow captures the innovative spirit of the award, and we cannot imagine a more perfect synergy for this year’s Milan presentation," Bolain added.

Lexus has, since 2005, strived to manufacture immersive experiences for visitors at the design event in Milan, Italy. Over the years, the brand has collaborated with the likes of Germane Barnes, Philippe Nigro, Sou Fujimoto, Neri Oxman, and Rhizomatics, to name a few. Enunciating on the brand’s continued commitment to innovation, Reddy shared, “Lexus’s support, of an artistic approach, that is a confluence of art and design—led me to envision this immersive experience as both a sculpture and a multisensory spatial experience.” It was first unveiled at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami) during Miami Art & Design Week 2022.

Shaped by Air is reimagined by Reddy for Milan—to sit snugly amongst the other showcases to be displayed as part of the Superdesign Show hosted by Superstudio. The show is an annual event at the design fair, which aims to present the works of a few international creatives, with the intention of eliciting discourses regarding the reality of the world to come. This year, their event includes a retinue of programs that address the roles and provisions of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, chatbots, humanoids, and the metaverse. The event is intended to intrigue visitors and help them imagine the changes that will become future realities, in their homes, cities, and architecture, due to the influx of technological innovations. Within this context, Shaped by Air, crafted using metal mesh, offers a forest-like passage for visitors to move through and experience mindfulness and hospitality, concepts central to Lexus’s values. In doing so, the installation also communicates the possibility of utilising technology in ways that are beneficial to human beings.

Ahead of the sculpture's unveiling in Milan, STIR established a brief dialogue with Suchi Reddy, regarding her collaboration with Lexus, experience working on the project, and more.

Almas Sadique: How is Reddymade Architecture and Design’s ethos of 'form follows feeling' satisfied in Shaped by Air?

Suchi Reddy: Shaped by Air is an emotional and multisensory experience that calls to mind the natural world. In Milan, the immersive environment will feature leaflike shapes inspired by the Lexus Electrified Sport concept vehicle, dappled light, and a nature-inspired soundscape. These elements reflect our 'form follows feeling' approach and also nod to the ways in which this collaboration with Lexus celebrates human-centred, carbon-neutral, and impeccably-crafted design.

Almas: What kinds of interaction does Shaped by Air facilitate? Can one physically interact with the installation, or is the exchange strictly cerebral?

Suchi: The installation in Milan will be an immersive experience that invites visitors to discover our interpretation of the Lexus Electrified Sport concept vehicle after walking through a forest of its composite shapes animated by a sound and lightscape. The environment will also feature an elevated lounge for rest and reflection that allows visitors to consider the work from a different perspective.

Almas: In your work, you tend to explore the potential of a space to evoke emotion. What kind of bodily reactions does the immersive experience offered through Shaped by Air aim to elicit at the fair?

Suchi: Through the use of ample natural light, calming green colours, and natural sounds, I hope to invite a space for wonder and wandering in the midst of the busy fair. The environment will be a welcoming, contemplative, and enveloping one, and as visitors walk through the “forest”, I hope they feel fully present.

Almas: What are some common principles and beliefs that guide Lexus and Reddymade Architecture and Design, and how did they influence the design of the installation?

Suchi: Like Reddymade, Lexus is committed to innovation and an artistic approach that champions creativity. I founded my practice in 2002 with an approach to design that privileges the emotional quality of human engagement with space, and this collaboration reflects that commitment.

Almas: How is sustainability ensured while constructing the installation, as well as disposing of it after the design fair? Are there plans of re-using the materials or recycling them for future use, or will they be displayed elsewhere?

Suchi: Comprised partially of post-consumer materials, the sculpture highlights the full potential of electrification and underscores Lexus' vision for a future that is carbon-neutral. We hope to recycle and reuse as much as possible of the installation.

Almas: Beyond its showcase in Milan, what kinds of innovation does Shaped by Air aim to inspire?

Suchi: Beyond its showcase in Milan, Shaped by Air aims to inspire a sense of wonder and possibility––a sentiment that is also captured by the Lexus Design Award winners shown at Superstudio. Design has the power to inspire a better tomorrow, and I hope this project captures that spirit of optimism.

Almas: Can immersive installations such as Shaped by Air benefit a larger audience if installed in public places? How?

Suchi: Immersive installations create an opportunity for the public at large to engage in atmospheres of wonder without the mediation of a museum. As such, they attract wider audiences and are able to inspire people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. No child forgets the wonder of a creative experience; it goes on to inspire and educate, and this is what I think the power of public installations is.

Shaped by Air will remain on display from April 17-23, 2023 at Superstudio Più (Art Point), Via Tortona, 27 20144 – Milano, Italy.

STIR’s coverage of Milan Design Week 2023 showcases the best exhibitions, studios, designers, installations, brands, and special projects to look out for. Explore Euroluce 2023 and all the design districts—5Vie Art and Design, Brera Design District, Fuorisalone, Isola Design District, Tortona District, and Milano Design District—with us.