Rolls-Royce has unveiled the winning artwork from the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge’ of the art program ‘MUSE’ to the world.
This year’s inaugural challenge is a new initiative of the art program ‘MUSE’, introduced by Rolls-Royce in 2019 as part of its arts sponsorship activities. Emerging artists, selected by a committee of global experts, reinterpret the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ sculpture, which has adorned Rolls-Royce bonnets since 1911, showcasing artworks that transcend technical and conceptual boundaries using diverse materials.
The winners of this year’s ‘Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge’ are three projects: B. Longlong’s Stitched Skin of the City, Ghizlane Sahli’s Nissa’s Rina: Woman’s Song, and Scarlet Yang’s Temporal Materiality. Each piece features unique concepts and techniques based on fabric, completely reinterpreting the Spirit of Ecstasy sculpture.
The judging panel included renowned experts such as Anders Warming, Chief Designer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; Yoon Ahn, Creative Director of Ambush and Jewelry Director at Dior Men; Tim Marlow, Director of the London Design Museum; and Sumaya Valley, Principal of Counterspace Architecture Studio in South Africa.
First, B. Longlong’s Stitched Skin of the City is inspired by the mesmerizing, multi-layered cityscape that reflects brilliantly on the surface of the Spirit of Ecstasy. This work intertwines the old and the new as the artist has transferred different places and histories onto a single canvas through traditional craftsmanship combined with innovative technology.
Ghizlane Sahli’s Nissa’s Rina: Woman’s Song explores the beauty of transformation and is created to encourage femininity and freedom. The artwork utilizes discarded materials such as plastic bottles and caps, employing the ‘Alveoli’ technique, which wraps bottles in thread to construct the structure. The stacked segments resemble the Spirit of Ecstasy’s wings.
Lastly, Scarlet Yang’s Temporal Materiality is a hybrid piece that merges real materials with digital work. Made from synthetic biomaterial ribbons, this sculpture captivates with its soft light that changes according to the angle. Its elegance, akin to that of the Spirit of Ecstasy’s fluttering gown, gives it an otherworldly quality. The exhibition also features a digital piece capturing the process of creation and the digital rendering of the sculpture.
Anders Warming, Chief Designer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, stated, “The Spirit of Ecstasy represents the muse that symbolizes Rolls-Royce, encapsulating the values of the House of Rolls-Royce, including the pursuit of perfection and timeless beauty that endures through the ages. I pay tribute to the three winning artists who highlight the diverse aspects of this Rolls-Royce icon and showcase the future of textile design.”
Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce’s MUSE program is an art sponsorship initiative aimed at expanding the technical and conceptual boundaries of art through collaboration with artists, featuring two programs conducted biannually: ‘Dream Commission’ and ‘Spirit of Ecstasy Challenge’. More information related to Rolls-Royce MUSE can be found on their official Instagram account (@rollsroycemuse).
By Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr