Shinji Nukumi's Infiniti Passion
On 13th October 2011, at the launch of Infiniti's 46th Centre in Europe, the manufacturer will unveil the work of the six finalists from the opening 'Inspired Performance' theme of the international Infiniti Digital Art Competition.
The new Infiniti showroom in Stockport, near Manchester, is the fifth centre to open in the UK and is the first stop in the three month long tour of the finalists' gallery. The exhibition is scheduled to visit destinations throughout Europe, namely Leeds (UK), Luxembourg City (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg), and Marseille (France), cities which will each host the unveiling of a new Infiniti retail outlet.
The six individual pieces take the form of sculptures, computer-generated images and vehicle projections. The creations have all been selected by the 'Inspired Performance' theme jury of recognised influencers in the sphere of design from the top 32 submissions entered by artists from across the globe. These include Birgit Lohmann, Editor-in-Chief, and Co-Founder of the online art, architecture and design magazine designboom, Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer of the Red Bull Racing Formula One team, and Yeoh Guan Hong, Co-Founder and Creative Director of the Shanghai-based design and media technology consultancy, Super Nature Design.
Artworks of The Six Finalists to be Revealed
Infiniti Passion
The work of Japanese artist Nukumi Shinji and NBBR, "Infiniti Passion" is composed of a series of projections on to an Infiniti model which focuses on the 'inner' dimension of the car in order to be able to see the potential of the marque.
Value Added
The sculpture by Slovak designers Juraj Rattaj and Jan Ziska explores the idea of creating a parking space which projects the correct image of a luxury car such as an Infiniti, whilst adding value as a piece of art in a public place rather than merely being confined to the function of hosting a vehicle.
Crystalline DNA
Making his debut in the sphere of automotive-based art, Brano Hlavac from Slovakia has created a series of four visuals which look at the manufacturing and design of Infiniti's models utilising the elements of crystal, the power of shape and DNA. In his designs, he highlights the importance of creativity and the automaker making their own mark, putting to one side the act of selling cars.
Highway of Light
A digital animation conceived by Bob Trempe and Roman Torres of the USA to reflect the powerful and distinct "character lines" used in the design of every Infiniti model. The digital animation communicates the lines of Infiniti brand by combining a silhouette of a car and the moving light streaks of fast moving vehicles on a highway.
Presence
The piece designed by Sanchit Sawaria and Palash Singh looks at the importance of performance and a car which creates an experience for the user beyond driving. The art does not reveal the mechanics which made the visual possible, but is the result of the discreet presence of technology such as streaks of light generated by fast moving cars.
Synthesised by Nature
Inspired by light, nature, and geometry, the artwork created by Englishman Jackson Tayler, combines three half cubes and projections to create the journey of a streak of light through an autonomous and sophisticated world. The free-flowing movements of the beam, which guide the viewer through the artwork, incorporate elements of ballet, and reflect the power of an Infiniti’s engine and the elegance of the cars' curves.
Commenting on the unveiling on the tour of the Infiniti Digital Art Exhibition, Jean-Pierre Diernaz, Marketing Director of Infiniti Europe, and a member of the Inspired Performance theme jury, explains: "It is a privilege to be able to bring to life the creations of artists for the first time at the opening of our beautiful Infiniti Centres, which for some, is also an international debut for the individuals themselves. Each of the pieces displays an exceptional level of talent and creativity which has added an exciting dimension to the 'Inspired Performance’ philosophy of Infiniti. We would like to congratulate the artists who have reached this phase of the competition, and we wish them the best of luck in the final stage of this theme."
Guests of the next four opening events will be requested to vote for their favourite piece in order to name the first theme winner of the contest who will receive a prize of €10,000 early next year.
