The turn of the 2020s decade saw the rise of unique new collaborations by automotive companies. Instead of the traditional car-based itineraries, more and more automakers are turning to other industries to help market their brand to wider audiences.

One such industry is the fashion industry, and Mercedes-Benz has recently partnered up with renowned fashion brand Moncler to produce a stunning new collaboration. The concept draws heavy inspiration from the design and heritage of both brands, and it encompasses some of the shared values between the two – A strong passion for innovation, concise design language and a first-mover approach to cross-cultural co-creation.

The new partnership is also one of Mercedes-Benz’s new key strategies to explore new realms across fashion and culture, with the goal to challenge expectations and interact with broader audiences beyond the traditional automotive bubble.

At the same time, this also highlights Moncler’s evolution beyond fashion and into new spheres of design. Mercedes-Benz is the first official automotive partner to collaborate with Moncler.

The collaboration debuted at Moncler’s “The Art of Genius” live show during London Fashion Week, held on February 20th, 2023.

A unique Mercedes Benz art piece was revealed, showcasing design elements of both brands. The reveal was broadcasted via live stream at Moncler.com.

Catch the latest automotive news right here on AutoApp!

It all started with the first inception of Porsche’s ‘The Art of Dreams’. The series made its debut back in October 2021, and the art piece ‘Remember your dreams’ curated by French artist Cyril Lancelin found its way to our shores for the Singapore Art Week 2022. What made it even more special was that Singapore was its first and only Asian destination.

Now, in line with Singapore Art Week 2023, Porsche has yet again revitalised ‘The Art of Dreams’, this time with Chris Labrooy’s ‘Dream Big’ sculpture. 

Located within Gardens By The Bay, Chris Labrooy’s unique art installation stands at 3.5 metres tall and features a white 911 Carrera. The head and hand are meant to illustrate a child playing with a toy car, with the piece aiming to evoke a sense of nostalgia in those of us who have played with toy cars when we were younger.

The piece was originally situated on sand, but the Singapore version takes on a new twist with rubberised floors instead, a nod to the rubber playground floors found in our public housing estates. 

An avid Porsche enthusiast too, Chris Labrooy uses these cars as his inspiration to curate surreal digital artworks, often encompassing a bright and dreamy theme. Ever seen a 356 dunked into a pool? Now you have.

If you want to check these artworks for yourself, a select few of them are currently on display at the Mandala Club, Porsche Singapore’s new, albeit temporary, experiential brand space. This is a new partnership formed in order for Porsche Singapore to be able to connect with Porsche enthusiasts and owners alike in an inviting space. 

This is a trend we are starting to see in the automotive industry, with more brands catering to lifestyle spaces instead of the usual showroom-esque floor spaces such as those found in Alexandra and Leng Kee, which may intimidate some to enter.

Sharing the space with Chris Labrooy’s artworks, the main showpiece of the new Porsche Mandala Club is Daniel Arsham’s ‘Crystal Eroded Porsche 911 (992)’. One of his earliest works, the 911 illustrates his idea of ‘Fictional Archaeology’, imagining the car 1,000 years in the future.

Parts of the car are laden with quartz and pyrite crystals, and they give the impression of bits of bodywork being eroded away. The interior is decked in a gorgeous shade of khaki upholstery and has Daniel Arsham’s marked drawings scattered all over. Peer closer and the words ‘ARSHAM 3019’ are referenced, a nod to the ‘Fictional Archaeology’ concept.

Even though this is a one-off special, the paint and interior combo go perfectly together. Please Porsche, make this an option for buyers.

Of course, being an experiential brand space, one can walk in and purchase merchandise of both Arsham and Labrooy’s work. Proceeds from these items will go to SCAPE, which supports local and youth programmes for the creative arts, media and entertainment, as well as entrepreneurship. 

If you like to catch Chris Labrooy’s ‘Dream Big’ piece, the installation is on site from now until 15 January. Opening hours of Gardens By The Bay are between 5 am to 12 am daily.

Catch the latest news right here on AutoApp!

‘The Art of Dreams’ is an international series of interactive art installations created by Porsche, and is set to return to our shores in January. This exhibit will be launched in conjunction with the Singapore Art Week 2023, and it will be happening from 6 to 15 January and Gardens By The Bay.

The Singapore art installation will feature a work by renowned Scottish artist Chris Labrooy.

Inception

‘The Art of Dreams’ was first launched back in October 2021. Launched in Paris, an art piece done up by French artist Cyril Lancelin, ‘Remember your dreams’, then made its precarious journey to Singapore for the Singapore Art Week 2022.

Chris Labrooy’s unique piece this year is aptly titled ‘Dream Big’, and Singapore is fortunate to be the first Asian destination for this sculpture. Standing a towering 3.5 metres tall, the installation will feature a Porsche car as well, a little nod to the German marque. 

Alongside the physical art installation, Porsche Singapore will also curate a gallery within its new temporary experiential brand space at Mandala Club to showcase some of Labrooy’s other artworks. The exhibition will be open from 5am – 12midnight from 6 to 15 January.

Read more of the latest news right here on AutoApp!