The Functional, the Aesthetic, and the Conceptual –
When Cars, Design, and Dance Meet
Impact Collections’ third event took place in an unconventional space for the discussion of art and design – a Porsche showroom. Yet the distance between high-end luxury cars and art is not so far. Both emphasize aesthetics as well as the added value of objects that goes well beyond their function.
The event began with a pleasant welcome – a meal made by Yossi Shitrit, chef of Tel Avivian restaurant David and Yossef. The members then moved indoors, where one of Israel’s top industrial designers, Alex Padwa, introduced himself. Throughout his career, Padwa has designed cars for Citroën, Mitsubishi, Ferrari, and Ford, and won several international prizes. The eye-opening lecture detailed Padwa's personal path to becoming a major figure in Israel's design world, and offered a unique sneak peek into the life and thought process of a designer. Padwa's innovative approach to industrial design even led him to collaborate with the Beresheet Team, designing Israel’s first vehicle meant to land on the moon.
Alex Padwa
After Padwa’s lecture, an unexpected turn of events took place. Impact Collections' members were invited to create a semi-circle around Porsche’s three luxury cars on display in the showroom. The lights were turned off, and a loud motor was heard in the large hall. Suddenly, the cars’ lights turned on, flickering in various rhythms. Six dancers walked through the audience to the middle of this circle. They began moving in the space, as well as in and around the cars themselves. The performance, "HorsePower" by PentHouss, an internationally known conceptual multidisciplinary art hub, almost seemed to correspond with the end of Padwa's lecture. The showroom, filled with dystopian sounds and flickering lights, created an uncanny sensation, almost “out of this world”, as if this is the place where Beresheet landed.
Designed by: Industrial Designer Alex Padwa
The performance was commissioned especially for the event, and was choreographed by Eden Martinovsky, an Israeli choreographer and dancer residing in NYC. She mentioned that the work is site-specific, meaning that it was made to be performed specifically at the Porsche showroom. This information amplified the importance of the cars in this dance piece – the work did not include them casually, but was constructed and thought of in relation to the luxurious automobiles. The artwork was, in fact, a conceptual examination of the notion of the "vehicle", and reflected on the delicate balance between the desire for fame and fortune, and their destructive potential.
Photo Crédit: PentHouss
When the mesmerizing performance ended, it was time to call it a day. Not before two delicious desserts were offered to the participants – chocolate mousse and a cheesecake. It was the perfect sweet ending for this inspirational evening of art, luxury, food, and good company.