Image Courtesy by Lexus.
At Milan Design Week 2025, the Japan-based brand Lexus presented visionary installations that rethink the interplay between people, technology and mobility.
At the center is the vision of a future mobility in which technology not only reacts, but above all interacts intuitively with people. The exhibition is part of Lexus’ ongoing strategy to understand design as an experience and future technology as an extension of human perception.
“A-Un” – a special installation developed with the Japanese creative studios SIX and STUDEO – depicts an oversized black butterfly made of 35 kilometers of bamboo fibers that reacts to the heartbeat of visitors. It is intended to illustrate the interplay between people, nature and technology. This installation is inspired by the Japanese concept of synchronized breathing – Aun no Kokyū.
The founder of the design studio STUDEO Tatsuki Ikezawa has already attracted international interest with his solo exhibition “BEYOND THE CRAFT” in New York in 2018 and his work has received numerous awards, including the Tokyo ADC Award and the New York ADC. Ikezawa graduated from the Department of Design Informatics at Musashino Art University and is known for his holistic approach to brand strategy – his goal: a coherent brand world in which all elements interact perfectly.
Sleek asked the Japanese artist how this visionary collaboration came about:
Image Courtesy by Lexus.
SLEEK Mr. Ikezawa, how did your collaboration with Lexus for this year’s Milan Design Week come about?
Mr. Ikezawa Our first collaboration with Lexus was during the Japan Mobility Show in 2023. Traditionally, Lexus worked with artists for Milan Design Week, presenting more conceptual pieces. But this year, they wanted to highlight their own values more directly through design—bringing the essence of their innovation and vision into a physical experience.
S What inspired your installation for the event?
Mr. I In today’s world, almost everything we want—images, answers, information—is just a few taps away, all confined within a screen. But I wanted to escape that flat, digital experience and create something tangible and immersive. The installation, titled Black Butterfly, uses the concept of a “device” but in a way that reconnects us to the physical world. That contrast is what gives it power.
S How did you approach translating Lexus’ brand identity into an immersive design?
Mr. I Lexus holds two key values: being human-centered and forward-looking as they evolve into the era of software-defined vehicles. I didn’t want to make a “command” device, but rather something that feels alive—something that anticipates, breathes, and engages like a living being. That’s how I translated their philosophy into the design.
S What kind of experience do you hope visitors will have?
Mr. I First and foremost, I hope people look at it and ask themselves, How is this made? It should stir curiosity and wonder. Lexus, as I see it, aims to deliver experiences beyond our imagination. That’s what I tried to embody—something that challenges perception.
Image Courtesy by Lexus.
S How does Japanese design culture influence your work?
Mr. I In contrast to the directness often seen in Western design, Japanese aesthetics embrace subtlety and ambiguity. The idea of “A-Un”, of shared but unspoken understanding, plays a role here. Rather than offering clear answers, I want viewers to project their interpretations—some may feel like it’s a heartbeat, others like being underwater. That imaginative engagement is very much part of our cultural DNA.
S Working with a global brand like Lexus, how do you balance artistic freedom with their expectations?
Mr. I Interestingly, there’s a strong alignment. Lexus cares deeply about detail, which resonates with Japanese craftsmanship. They’re also constantly evolving—and so am I. I don’t like repeating the same ideas. I enjoy exploring new forms and concepts. This is my first spatial installation—I come from a background in graphic design. Lexus gave me the freedom to try something radically new.
S Finally, what’s the core message you hope people take away?
Mr. I That something seemingly crazy can move people. This piece is made from 100 kilometers of hand-woven bamboo thread. It’s completely irrational in today’s efficiency-driven world—but that’s exactly why it’s powerful. We need more of that kind of wonder.
S Thank you, Mr. Ikezawa. A truly inspiring perspective.
Image Courtesy by Lexus.