Two Lexus EVs become sculptures as MSCHF loops one and twists the other for a show

By Vivek Dubey September 23, 2026, 9:04:00 AM IST (Published) MSCHF turns two Lexus electrified vehicles into surreal sculptures Twisted Car and Circle Car, unveiled at Motomorphosis in Chelsea Industrial, New Yo... 1 /10 Exhibition Opens: A Brooklyn art collective has transformed two Lexus electric vehicles into sculptures for a New York exhibition. Motomorphosis opens at Chelsea Industrial from 24–26 September 2026, coinciding with Armory Week. Lexus commissioned the collective, MSCHF, to produce two altered vehicles for the show.

Each sculpture will be displayed alongside its unmodified counterpart. 2 /10 Screen To Steel: MSCHF is known for applying digital visual techniques to physical objects. For this project, the collective referenced smear frames, a technique used in 3D animation to show shapes stretching mid-motion. The two sculptures apply that same distortion to car bodies, altering their metal, glass and lighting components to appear reshaped, as if caught between positions. 3 /10 Loop Unveiled: One sculpture, titled Circle Car, is based on a Lexus RZ 450e electric SUV.

MSCHF altered the vehicle so its nose connects to its tail, forming a closed loop. The wheels remain in their original positions along the outer edge, while the cabin follows the curved shape. An unmodified RZ 450e will be exhibited next to it. 4 /10 Twist Unveiled: The second sculpture, Twisted Car, is based on a Lexus RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid.

The vehicle's body has been rotated along its length, creating a spiral twist around a central axis. Window outlines and lights follow the same curve as the bodywork. An unaltered RX 450h+ will stand beside the altered version at the exhibition. 5 /10 Form Over Function: MSCHF describes the two pieces as “Form Cars”, distinguishing them from traditional concept cars.

Concept cars typically preview future engineering or design direction. These sculptures, by contrast, do not move and were not built with that function in mind. According to MSCHF, the pieces are meant to represent motion through shape rather than through mechanical capability. 6 /10 Mind Over Metal: Exhibition organisers say the sculptures test how viewers identify a car despite structural changes.

Both pieces retain visible features, including wheels, headlights and body panels, positioned along their altered forms. When displayed beside their production versions, the distorted sculptures remain visually linked to the original vehicles, despite the substantial changes made to their shape. 7 /10 Lexus Speaks: Lisa McQueen, senior manager at Lexus marketing, said the project was intended to shift focus away from how vehicles are powered. “Motomorphosis asks a different question: what can electricity power in our imagination?” she said.

McQueen said the collaboration allowed Lexus to explore the RZ 450e and RX 450h+ platforms outside their standard production form. 8 /10 Fine Print: Lexus confirmed that the sculptures are modified using non-Lexus parts, which may void the vehicles' warranties. The company stated the changes could also affect vehicle safety. Lexus said the altered vehicles are not street legal and were built solely for exhibition purposes.

The unmodified RZ 450e and RX 450h+ models used for comparison remain unaffected. 9 /10 Meet MSCHF: MSCHF is a Brooklyn-based collective that works across objects, brands and public behaviour. The group has previously built projects designed to draw attention to systems within culture, politics and finance. Motomorphosis continues that pattern, applying the collective's approach to physical transformation to two commercially available Lexus vehicles ahead of their public display in New York. 10 /10 Meet Lexus: Lexus was founded in 1989 and currently sells vehicles in more than 90 countries, including through 246 dealers in the United States.

The company said Motomorphosis is connected to its “Electric Made Art” initiative, which frames electrification as a creative medium. The RZ 450e and RX 450h+ serve as the basis for all four vehicles shown in the exhibition. Home Photos News Auto News Two Lexus EVs become sculptures as MSCHF loops one and twists the other for a show

Source: CNBC TV18