- The German luxury car manufacturer's presence and programs are inspired by Design Miami/'s 'Beyond Organic
- Design in the State of Nature' theme
- The 'Audi Coastline Marina' exhibit invites visitors to come aboard a luxury yacht on four wheels
- Audi continues green efforts with 're:design Simpson Park' project in cooperation with the city of Miami
HERDON, Va., Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third year, Audi continues to
be the Exclusive Automotive Sponsor of Design Miami/, the pre-eminent fair for
limited-edition design. Audi joined the fair in 2006, just one year after its
inception. In addition, as of 2008, Audi is now the Exclusive Automotive
Sponsor of Art Basel Miami Beach, thus partnering up with the world's most
important fairs for both contemporary art and design. Both engagements
underscore Audi's position as a cutting-edge design brand within the luxury
car sector. This is especially valid for the partnership between Audi and
Design Miami/, where Audi not only fulfills a traditional sponsorship role,
but also provides content and actively participates as an exhibitor.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081202/CLTU093-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081202/CLTU093-b )
'Design is one of the pillars of the Audi brand,' said Johan de Nysschen,
executive vice president, Audi of America. 'Revolutionary designs like that of
the Audi TT, or our latest super sports car, the Audi R8, have become iconic
and are a testament to this tradition. This is why joining Design Miami/ as a
partner was a natural fit. We are very proud to help foster design culture in
that sense. In addition, our presence at Design Miami/, and now at Art Basel
Miami Beach, allows us to reach out to a very affluent, design-savvy and
international target audience.'
In the previous years, Audi's exhibits have ranged from an installation
piece around the iconic R8 to a Design Laboratory showcasing designers'
sketches and work on clay models where visitors could understand the complex
interaction of the design and engineering process in today's automotive world.
Audi's 2008 presence, the 'Audi Coastline Marina,' is inspired by Design
Miami/'s theme, 'Beyond Organic - Design in the State of Nature,' which is
reflected in an exuberant curatorial program as well as site-specific
installations by luminaries of the design world.
'Audi has had, and continues to have, an integral role in Design Miami/,'
said Ambra Medda, Director of Design Miami/. 'The mission of Design Miami/ is
not only to exhibit and discuss important design like that exemplified by
Audi, but also to create it. The 'Audi Coastline Marina' is one such project
that makes Audi more than a sponsor - they are an active participant.'
The 'Audi Coastline Marina' brings the aesthetics of a classic yacht and
the ambience of the coast to the design boards of Design Miami/2008. This one-
piece, supersize lounge furniture forms a natural environment for the Audi Q7
Coastline, taking its beauty from inside and bringing it to the outside. This
concept car, with its wood and aluminum interior elements invokes the
construction of deluxe hand-crafted boats and showcases Audi's capability to
create limited-edition and customized design. With its special white paint,
the vehicle in the middle of the large lounge deck resembles an opened sail.
Reflecting the influence of nature and the natural beauty of engineering-
driven design work, the exhibit blends in with the overall theme of Design
Miami/ 2008.
'The theme at this year's Design Miami/ is one that is very important to
me,' said Stefan Sielaff, Head of Audi Design. 'Nature is at the very essence
of each design, be it creative or industrial. Our work meets nature and
natural beauty in many respects, from the aesthetics of our lines and body
shapes to the leather we use in our interior.
