One of the most buzzworthy names in the luxury automotive arena, Genesis has quickly earned a niche in the highly competitive market thanks to its diverse lineup, elegant designs, and sumptuous appointments. However, Genesis has also made a name for itself with activities like cultural partnerships, such as the one it has with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
As part of the partnership between Genesis and The Met, the Genesis Facade Commission, established in 2024, is an annual exhibition for which artists create sculptural works to be displayed at The Met’s Fifth Avenue facade. With works showcased already for the Genesis Facade Commission by Lee Bul and Jeffrey Gibson, a new work has now been unveiled, entitled Speculation by Liu Wei.
Liu Wei’s work has been showcased globally, in Beijing, Shanghai, Seoul, and Cleveland, but Speculation marks his United States major museum exhibition debut. Liu is known for working with urban environments, historical references, and bodily forms. Specifically, Speculation features four sculptures of different scales: Speculation / Λ; Speculation / G; Speculation / c; and Speculation / h. The materials include fiberglass, steel, aluminum alloy, polyurethane paint, and bovine rawhide, and the works are described as “a pile of still life objects brusquely sutured together.”
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A recurring motif in the works is the human hand, and the works are inspired by the rapid transformation of modern China, exploring change and renewal. About the new work, DooEun Choi, Art Director of Hyundai Motor, commented, “Through his distinctive artistic language, Liu Wei reconfigures familiar forms to illuminate the challenges embedded in contemporary realities. We hope this exhibition invites audiences to reflect on human experience in an era of profound transformation and to reconsider how we navigate the complexities of the present.”
An artist talk will be held with Liu Wei on September 22 to celebrate the opening, and the continued partnership for the Genesis Facade Commission comes alongside other efforts in the arts from Genesis, like the Genesis Talks in partnership with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Do Ho Suh exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), and more. Emphasizing its commitment to the arts, the new Genesis Facade Commission at The Met enhances Genesis’ presence as a luxury manufacturer.
Image Source: Genesis Motor