design miami/ basel 2008: audi

‘trace installation’ – image © designboom

at design miami/ basel, audi presented ‘traces’ an installation, which consisted of 11 ‘unfinished’ pictures
by illustrators, artists, designers and photographers. each image represented an artificial world created
for audi’s various cars. the pictures were unfinished in the sense that the vehicle was missing.
a robot that was set up at the show then drew the outline of an audi model onto the artworks.
the artists who contributed pieces to ‘trace’ were: alex diamond, tim dinter, marcus gaab, alexander klenz,
build, thomas broomé, robert voit, fotosolar, pixel garten, usota, and thesigner.

‘trace installation’  – image © designboom

‘audi R8 quattro’  – image © designboom

alongside the ‘trace’ installation audi also showcased one of its most exclusive models the ‘R8 quattro’,
a mid-engined sports car, based on the audi le mans quattro concept car. the 2-door car boasts a
4.2 L V8 engine is four-wheel drive and has a top speed of 301 km/h (187 mph). the car’s simple, strong,
flowing lines, encompass a wealth of intricate design choices such as its ‘sideblades’ – panels located
behind the doors, which can be changed allowing the owner to further personalize their model.
the R8’s has front headlights are surrounded by LED daylights and the four-ring audi badge has been
shifted from the grill to the car’s bonnet.

‘audi R8 quattro’  – images © designboom

audi representatives: lucie simon-rehm (International motorshows) and anja kaehny (manager lifestyle communications/CSR)
portrait © designboom

audi is the exclusive automotive sponsor of design miami, and its presence at the event reiterates
the brand’s commitment to design innovation. that said the company was keen to stress that it does not
see itself as just a sponsor but also views its participation at design miami as ‘designers exhibiting
alongside other designers’.

anja kaehny of audi explains the company’s relationship with design miami/

through exhibiting its design, audi has the opportunity to discuss its work with a design audience and reach
people who it might not be able to reach at motor events. the company also underlined its pledge to design
beyond cars, exhibiting proposals for exclusive audi products and ‘thesigners’ graffiti to design project.

this foosball table is one of audi’s ‘non-car’ products currently being developed –  image © designboom

the theme of florian flatau’s diploma thesis is ‘graffiti to design’. during design miami /basel, he worked on his designs at
audi’s booth. – image © designboom

http://www.audi.com
R8 quattro microsite
http://www.designmiami.com/basel