Milan, ITALY: Mazda Motor Corporation has taken
the wraps off Mazda-designed artworks, including "Bike by KODO
concept" and "Sofa by KODO concept" on the eve of opening the event
"Mazda Design: The Car as Art," in the Italian city of Milan from
April 14, 2015.
For many years Mazda has maintained a consistent focus on the
representation of dynamic motion in its vehicle designs. Under the
'KODO - Soul of Motion' design theme, Mazda's new-generation
vehicles express a powerful motion full of life, such as that
displayed by animals in the wild.
With Mazda Design: The Car as Art, Mazda is aiming to further
the evolution of the expression of motion by attempting the
expression of two key sensibilities rooted in Japanese aesthetics;
RIN, a sense of self-restrained dignity, and EN,
an alluring sensuality that speaks directly to the senses.
"Bike by KODO concept" is a track racer that seeks to express
the innate beauty of the bicycle. Its minimalist structure is
composed of the least possible number of parts.
The frame was painstakingly formed by hammering a single sheet
of steel and the black leather saddle is hand-stitched, featuring
the same red thread and stitch design as the All-New Mazda MX-5.
The bicycle's mixture of dynamism and allure is evocative of the
Mazda MX-5's styling.
"Sofa by KODO concept," a collaborative effort between Mazda's
designers and Italian furniture makers, exhibits an exquisite blend
of Mazda Design's refined sensibilities and fine Italian
craftsmanship backed by a long tradition of furniture-making. The
form of the sofa is as honed as that of the First-Ever Mazda CX-3
and evokes the strong stance common to all Mazda's new-generation
vehicles.
Also on display at the event are a number of works by
traditional Japanese craftsmen inspired by Mazda's 'KODO - Soul of
Motion' design philosophy.
KODOKI is a tsuiki copperware wine cooler hammered from
a single sheet of copper in Japan's famous Gyokusendo metal-working
studio. SHIRAITO is a traditional lacquered box created by
Kinjo-Ikkokusai which expresses the richness of natural phenomena
using multiple layers of lacquer and finely-broken eggshell.
"Over the past few years, design has become an essential part of
who we are, adding an artistic value to the entire Mazda brand
experience," said Masahiro Moro, Mazda's Managing Executive
Officer, in charge of Global Marketing, Customer Service and Sales
Innovation.
"As such, it only makes sense that we introduce our design
messages here in Milan, a city of the apex of the design world, in
order to elevate our brand image.
"Moving forward, we will create more opportunities to familiarise
customers with Mazda and Mazda design in order to raise the value
of our brand and strengthen our bond with customers."
For further information, please contact:
Karla Leach
Senior Manager - Public Relations
T: (03) 8540 1931
F: (03) 8540 1960
M: 0448 346 213
E: kleach@mazda.com.au
Tony Mee
Public Relations Specialist
T: (03) 8540 1962
F: (03) 8540 1960
M: 0439 347 658
E: tmee@mazda.com.au