“8 Minutes and 20 Seconds” Harnesses the Power of the Sun

For this year’s Miami Art & Design Week, Lexus unveiled its latest designer collaboration with Marjan van Aubel, a Dutch solar designer who reinterprets the Lexus Future Zero-emission Catalyze (LF-ZC) concept car using solar cells. The installation is titled “8 Minutes and 20 Seconds” in reference to the approximate time it takes a light particle to reach the earth. Using 15 Organic Photovoltaics (OPV) solar sheets, van Aubel harnesses the power of the sun to fill the batteries that are hidden in the sculpture’s base. During the day, the transparent yet colorful installation looks like a mirage, a true-to-size representation of the LF-ZC. By night, it comes to life, a futuristic light show that interacts with people passing by.

“8 Minutes and 20 Seconds” was actualized with the help of spatial and experience design firm Random Studio. Four individual motion sensors detect the presence of viewers and create a kaleidoscopic and melodic reaction using colors and sounds by Sabina SweetRice and Malloy James. Light bounces across the installation’s base which represents the car’s EV platform while an ambient melody of string instruments, soft piano, chimes, birdsong, and bamboo notes transports viewers to a zen-like auditory experience.

Marjan van Aubel

The installation is on view through December 17, 2023 at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami).

Photography by Steve Benisty.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She’s probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.