INTERSECT BY LEXUS — TOKYO is first and foremost a luxury space where people are invited to sit, reflect, create, debate and collaborate. It is a meeting point for creative minds to unite and form connections that make great ideas even better.
Created by Lexus, this venue offers guests a multisensorial experience that reflects the brand’s design and environmental ethos; it’s a place where inspiration lives. Here, visitors can experience the marque’s culture and the lifestyle it embodies without having to get behind a steering wheel.
Since its opening in 2013, INTERSECT BY LEXUS — TOKYO has remained true to its commitment to the world of luxury, design, craftsmanship and its “Experience Amazing” mantra. Lexus has always showcased mindfulness and a dedication to the happiness of its customers in its work, whether as part of its vehicles or through its INTERSECT BY LEXUS concept. The “Flag Partition” series at INTERSECT BY LEXUS — TOKYO, which was conceived in April 2020 and received a Red Dot Design Award in 2021 for its outstanding creativity and design quality, is a perfect testament to this notion.
Born under Tokyo’s state of emergency issued in April 2020, the “Flag Partition” came about as a rebuttal against the sterile social-distance partitioning requirements. Instead, the team wanted to reinvent these in a more INTERSECT-esque fashion, so that guests could still dine peacefully in a welcoming environment, while Lexus took care and consideration for their safety. This led to the creation of the supporting flag that now characterises the idea, which had both a partition function but also promoted the notions of care and encouragement.
The partitions, constructed of colourful mesh fabrics, were well-received by customers. They provided a more positive and bright atmosphere and thus, didn’t impact the vibrant ambience of the INTERSECT BY LEXUS — TOKYO space. Developed in cooperation with SPREAD, the partition graphics have continued to evolve since their inception. According to the time of year, from fall to the new year, early spring, summer and soon-to-be winter, the patterns and ratio of bright and dark colours are altered in accordance with the season. This is done meticulously to ensure that the partitions still remain functional while accentuating the space.
Further adding to this form-meets-functionality idea, the mesh material was developed with NBC Meshtec, which handles various industrial materials such as medical equipment and car engine oil filters. To ensure that infectious droplets didn’t permeate through, an appropriate mesh size was used, and NBC Meshtec’s antiviral and antibacterial technology, “Cufitec®️”, was incorporated into the fabric. The seamless, straight-lined frame was also designed to provide stability while allowing easy movement for layout changes. To support local craftsmen, the frames were manufactured in the Minami Sanjo region of Japan, which is renowned for its metal processing techniques.
Rather than just being installed in adherence to countermeasures against COVID-19, the “Flag Partition” has become an integral part of the decorative interior at INTERSECT BY LEXUS — TOKYO. With its bright, tactile and interactive design, which cannot be found in inorganic acrylic, this proposal continues to authentically create happiness in motion with a unique approach, something that Lexus always aims to do with its work.
In addition to omotenashi, which refers to thoughtful, considered, genuinely compassionate and gracefully delivered hospitality, one of Lexus’ guiding principles is innovation — a characteristic always displayed in its vehicles; it is also ever-present at INTERSECT BY LEXUS — TOKYO. In the Garage, a stylish exhibition space on the first floor of INTERSECT BY LEXUS — TOKYO, artists whose values resonate with the Lexus brand are given a stage to showcase their creativity. It’s a place of communication that always conveys the perspective of Lexus to customers, whether it’s through the display of Lexus vehicles, hosting of pop-up libraries or the presentation of artist’s exhibitions.
In April 2021, Lexus cooperated with SPREAD for “The Path of Colour” exhibit held in the Garage. During this presentation, the Garage was transformed by the placement of a vermilion net that symbolised human existence. Through the addition of unfolding fragments of colour, it represented the various paths taken through life, and the intention was to conjure up a positive outlook for the future through the power that colours have to stir the imagination, spark memories and stimulate the senses. This was then further accentuated by sounds and images on a digital screen that changed in response to the movements of people and other conditions in the space.
The pieces of colour were individually produced using an old letterpress printing machine, which lent the installation a distinctly warm and characterful aura. The gradations were reminiscent of the body colour of Lexus vehicles, subtly shifting moment by moment due to fluctuations in the light. This mirrored Lexus’ mindset of “Time in Design”, which encapsulates a specifically Japanese kind of aesthetic that prizes the momentary allure found within seasonal and environmental changes. Through this art installation, the richness of fleeting scenes of beauty could be experienced, whether it was the cherry blossom petals fluttering to the ground in spring or the leaves turning red in autumn. Guests also had the opportunity to interact with the work by tearing their own piece of coloured paper and adding it to the installation, signifying their own unique, newly created path.
Another installation that referenced the seasons was “Tamayura” by Kaibutsu, which was unveiled in June 2021. In particular, it called upon the emotional response to early summer rains, which were highlighted by incorporating car parts into the display. Translating to “a fleeting moment”, “Tamayura” recreated the movement of raindrops “dancing” on the top of a car, evoking the charm of rainfall with its distinctive and richly varied sounds and motions. Even on a gloomy day, rain has the ability to make people unexpectedly calm and content. This is one of the sensitivities Lexus treasures, particularly the cherishing of seasons and nature, an integral part of Japanese culture.
Free, vigorous, and beautiful, raindrops express a uniquely Japanese aesthetic of the changing seasons, weather, and impermanence, and by incorporating the use of the soft roof fabric of the LC 500 Convertible, a car that provides a sense of unity with nature and the seasons, Kaibutsu was able to harmoniously incorporate Lexus into this poignant artistic piece. The cloth formed the stage, where the movement and sound of water would come together, repeatedly dividing and joining. The appearance of the water, which is usually colourless and transparent, took on a metallic hue, shining like a surface reminiscent of mercury. This transformed the water to look completely different, more akin to a mysterious creature. And this is what sparked true joy — onlookers never got tired of seeing unpredictable movements and shapes.
Another phenomenon that is ceaselessly intriguing for the mind is light; the incredible way it glistens, reflects and refracts. In November 2021, acclaimed art and technical director Yutaka Endo brought his exhibition, “Hex Flat Crystallised”, to INTERSECT BY LEXUS – TOKYO. This exhibit appealed to humans’ fascination with light, showcasing the mysterious permeation of shimmering layers of light.
The installation used acrylic panels covered with RAYCEA film, a light-control technology developed by Nitto Denko Corporation that attracted attention at Milan Design Week. The panels were designed and arranged in a strategic hexagonal crystal shape, allowing the layers of colour and light to change with the viewer’s perspective. In doing so, this created an entirely unique experience as guests moved around the installation. This allowed onlookers to engage in a dialogue with the exhibit, exploring their own personal impressions and responses, and discovering a sense of what their futures may hold.
Lexus aspires to offer vehicles that meet the diversifying needs and lifestyles of people worldwide. Based on the “Lexus Electrified” vision, it strives to bring electrification and new technology together and cultivate surprising and emotionally rich experiences through its automobiles and beyond. The “Hex Flat Crystallised” exhibition took heed of these efforts, along with Lexus’ pioneering pursuit of optical expression through cutting-edge light control technology and LEDs.
A hub of creativity, emotion, craftmanship and admiration for life’s most beautiful sentiments, INTERSECT BY LEXUS – TOKYO is an unmissable destination in Aoyama, and its art exhibitions make it all the more intriguing. Come hungry for inspiration and leave satisfied; full of life, enthusiasm and delight.