The latest update from MB Passion. “Project Geländewagen” may be Ludwig Mies van der Rohe inspired?
MERCEDES-BENZ SHOWS “PROJECT GELÄNDEWAGEN” FOR THE FIRST TIME
The Mercedes-Benz “Project Geländewagen” is the first result of the collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Virgil Abloh, the Chief Creative Director and founder of the Off-White label and Men's Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton.
Conceptual design project “Project Geländewagen”
In the
conceptual design project headed by Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener and Abloh, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class served as the starting point for exploring new ways to break established ideas of luxury. A never before seen, impressive manifestation of the G-Class was presented. To promote the arts at a critical time, a replica of the design study will then be auctioned as part of “Sotheby's Contemporary Curated”. All proceeds will be donated. Bids can be submitted from September 14, 2020.
“With Project Geländewagen we are creating a unique work of art that represents future interpretations of luxury and a desire for beauty and the extraordinary. The result is somewhere between reality and the future, ”says Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer. “The collaboration with Virgil combines two different design philosophies, from which a unique reinterpretation of the G-Class has emerged that celebrates the extraordinary.”
“The off-road vehicle project perfectly expresses our idea of contemporary luxury and gives creativity and innovative design new impetus,” says Bettina Fetzer, Vice President Marketing at Mercedes-Benz AG. “Culture and art have always played an important role for the Mercedes-Benz brand and its products, and we are proud to donate all proceeds from the auction of the replica. The aim is to support international creative communities in continuing their artistic training. "
“My main goal in this project with Mercedes-Benz is to inspire young artists, engineers and designers to question the status quo. I also want to experiment with my own design potential, ”says Virgil Abloh. “My aim is to open up opportunities for those who come after me and to offer this next generation a starting point for their own success - both here with Mercedes-Benz and with my own Virgil Abloh ™“ Post-Modern ”scholarship fund . "
The G-Class as a racing car
From 4x4s to landaulets - the G-Class has already been interpreted in many ways, but never as a racing car - until now. The final design never forgets its origin and conveys the experience of a racing car. As G-Class owners, Wagener and Abloh have first-hand experience and have incorporated their knowledge of the possibilities of maximizing the Mercedes-AMG feeling into the design process. Together they considered how the viewer could be given new perspectives on Mercedes-Benz design and how luxury could be developed from a flawless high-gloss aesthetic to something raw, natural and generally “honest”.
The exterior is deliberately kept simple in order to emphasize the iconic silhouette of the G-Class and underline its monolithic character. The final design exposes the construction and celebrates the craftsmanship imperfections that make it unique. The paintwork was partially sanded by hand; this creates a feeling of timeless simplicity. Weld seams are celebrated as central design motifs, craftsmanship comes to the fore. Direction indicators, exterior mirrors and bumper have been removed; the body of the vehicle was widened and lowered to achieve a sportier effect. The distinctive personality of the G-Class is always retained, while oversized tires and an oversized spare wheel emphasize the inimitable charisma of the G.
Inside the work of art, reduction to the essentials dominates. The inspiration from motorsport is obvious; this eliminates all clichés of an off-road vehicle. The interior has been consistently dismantled, the safety frame becomes a central motif. The dashboard was removed and replaced by a simple, reduced version with an analog speedometer and a fuel gauge, reminiscent of a classic car. This contrasts with the steering wheel and the seats, which are more reminiscent of a Formula 1 car. Safety features and central elements from racing, such as safety frames or five-point belts, are highlighted in baby blue and bright red tones.
Project Geländewagen unites the worlds of fashion, art and the automobile through a common passion: outstanding luxury design that anticipates future trends. Based on the craftsmanship and know-how that are part of the unique legacy of the world's first automaker, Wagener and Abloh's creation embodies Mercedes-Benz's natural understanding of the extraordinary, a bold vision of the future of luxury design and power of dreams.
About Virgil Abloh
Virgil Abloh, born in Rockford, Illinois, is an artist, architect, engineer, creative director and fashion designer. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in civil engineering, he earned a master's degree in architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago. At the IIT, where he followed a curriculum originally developed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Abloh developed the basis of his artistic practice. In the summer of 2019, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago showed a retrospective of his work as a traveling exhibition - one of the most visited exhibitions in the history of the museum. Abloh is currently Chief Creative Director and founder of the Off-White label and artistic director of the Louis Vuitton men's fashion collection.
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