Karl Lagerfeld photographs the Audi R8

Photo exhibition on 12 May at the Audi Forum New York

For Walter de’Silva design, in abstract terms, is “a number of individual signals which add up to give a powerful overall signal. Design is always a reflection of outlooks on life, views and convictions.”

Head of Volkswagen Group Design de’Silva designed the Audi R8 to be the expression of “ultimate sportiness”. And now Karl Lagerfeld has photographed the sports car, interpreting its design in an unusual new light. These photographs will appear in an art calendar entitled “Kaleidoscopic Vision of a Car”.

Lagerfeld breaks down the overall design of the R8, developed by de’Silva from “individual signals”, by working with reflections and making the images abstract – similar to the view through a kaleidoscope. The black and white photographs convey completely new, exciting perspectives.

“Seeing this emotion-stirring sports car through the eyes of a design icon such as Karl Lagerfeld is an impressive experience – and heightens the anticipation of all those who have already ordered it even further,” commented Ralph Weyler, Board Member for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG.

The photographs were shot in the south of France, in Ramatuelle near Saint-Tropez. Sitting at the wheel of the R8 is the American Brad Kroenig, currently the most in-demand male model, whom the couturier has been photographing for five years for his long-term study “One Man Shown”.