On Maybach’s initiative, over the next three years a series of sculpture installations featuring work by internationally renowned contemporary artists and sculptors will be staged on the presentation area beneath the world-famous glass pyramid. It will be the first time since the glass pyramid was built in 1989 that the area will be used for the installations of works of art, starting today with a brand-new sculpture by the leading British contemporary artist Tony Cragg, to be shown as part of his major exhibition at the Louvre until October 2011.

“We are absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to work together with this world-famous art institution, as the Maybach brand and the Louvre share a keen sense of excellence, uniqueness and tradition”, comments Patrick Marinoff, Global Brand Manager Maybach. “Above all, the uniqueness of our identities have provided fruitful ground for our collaboration and led us to the particular idea of presenting artworks in a space that has never before been used for that purpose.”

“The Louvre is very happy to have on its side a partner like Maybach whose commitment will allow the museum to organise in the next three years the presentation of ambitious contemporary art installations under Pei’s Pyramid”, said Marie-Laure Bernadac, Curator charge, and special advisor on contemporary art at the Louvre.

Tony Cragg – one of the most renowned sculptors of our time
The Louvre’s partnership with the luxury brand from Stuttgart marks the extension of the museum’s Contemporary Art programme. For this first collaboration, Tony Cragg presents the new sculpture “Versus” under the glass pyramid. This monumental sculpture is produced especially for this exhibition at the Louvre showing eight other sculptures in the Cour Marly and in the Cour Puget. Maybach is the main sponsor for both the exhibition and the installation beneath the glass pyramid.

A graduate of the Royal College of Art in London, Tony Cragg has lived and worked in Wuppertal, Germany since 1977. He has explored a wide variety of types of practice in sculpture and has made vast contributions to contemporary debates on sculpture. His artworks are complex phenomena based on familiar natural and everyday objects reaching towards an abstract appreciation of the human body, and possess an impressive vitality that captivates the viewer as part of a truly fascinating artistic experience. Tony Cragg was awarded the Turner Prize in 1988 and was elected to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1994. In 2008, he has opened a sculpture garden in Wuppertal and since 2009, he has been Principal of the Academy of Arts in Düsseldorf.

The Louvre – the world’s most visited art gallery
With some 8.5 million visitors every year, the “Musée du Louvre” is the most visited art museum, and with its exhibition area of around 65,000 square metres it is the third largest museum in the world. The art collection comprises approximately 380,000 works, of which some 36,000 are on display. The spectrum of high-calibre exhibits ranges from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, through Italian Renaissance painting and Flemish painting from the 16th and 17th centuries to French painting of the 15th to 19th century.

Maybach – Extensive backing for high-quality contemporary art
Over the past five years, Maybach has been successful in establishing itself in the international world of contemporary art. Its involvement covers three main focal points: firstly the tradition-steeped automotive Manufaktur (hand-finishing section) supports top international artists. For example, after exclusive partnerships with star photographer David LaChapelle and designer Tim Berresheim in 2009, Maybach currently works together with the renowned painter, sculptor and filmmaker Julian Schnabel. Secondly, the brand provides backing for renowned institutions on the art scene, such as the Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Switzerland and the Louvre in Paris, France, which are both in partnerships with Maybach. In addition to this, Maybach is represented at important art events such as the St. Moritz Art Masters and offers customers special access to major art fairs. The involvement is rounded off by combining art and social commitment, in keeping with the mentoring philosophy of the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation.

Source: Daimler AG

Consisting of two parts, it is 483 centimeters (190 inches) high, 170 cm (67 inches) wide, and 142 cm (56 inches) deep and has a weight of 1,488 kilograms (3,280 lbs.). Both parts are of cast bronze with patina over stainless steel armatures. With its dimensions, “Queequeq – The Maybach Sculpture” imbues strength and surprises with fluidity and lightness. Its name draws from the character of the harpooneer in Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick. The sculpture is to reside within the comprehensive Daimler Art Collection – as is customary of all art co-operations of the Maybach brand.

Over the next two years, Julian Schnabel and Maybach are engaging in a multitude of initiatives. As did photographer David LaChapelle in 2009, Julian Schnabel is participating with the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation and its mentoring program, which identifies and supports young high-talented individuals including artists with great potential in their field. Schnabel also made a short film documenting the Maybach brand.

“The quest for perfection and uniqueness is the essence of the Maybach brand. The Maybach Foundation’s concept of mentoring also carries great significance, as I have always felt it was important to support and promote young, talented artists. And older artists should encourage younger ones. This is something that can be fun, useful and important,” said Julian Schnabel, who is for the first time joining in a cooperative effort with a corporation.

Maybach supports Julian Schnabel’s humanitarian efforts, artistic and social projects
An exclusive “Maybach Night” to honor Julian Schnabel and his humanitarian and social engagements will be held on December 2, and includes the presentation of the Maybach sculpture. A highlight of this evening event is a major charity auction of five Julian Schnabel works to benefit the J/P HRO (J/P Haitian Relief Organisation) Foundation, which was established by Schnabel’s long-time friend, American actor Sean Penn. As host, Maybach is enabling this auction with support from the Beyeler Fondation and Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles. The proceeds will go toward rapid and effective aid for Haiti and support a village of 50,000. Another highlight of the night will be a special screening of Schnabel’s latest film MIRAL, which opens March 25, 2011 in the United States. MIRAL tells the story of a young girl growing up in a landscape of conflict.

Throughout 2011 the Maybach sculpture will be shown at significant exhibitions of Schnabel’s works, including the Venice Biennale in the Piazza San Marco at the Museo Correr and MOCA in Los Angeles as part of a Julian Schnabel retrospective, which will be announced for the first time during “Maybach Night” by MOCA director Jeffrey Deitch in Miami. The planned retrospective of the artist’s works is long overdue.
Julian Schnabel’s works have been exhibited around the globe, and are part of the permanent collections of the world’s most significant museums. Along with painting and sculpture, his wide-ranging activities include film, photography, architecture, interior design and music.

“We are very happy to partner with this great artist. The partnership with Julian Schnabel and Maybach is significant based on our shared principles. It also marks the first engagement on behalf of a brand within his brilliant career. This truly showcases our long term commitment and ongoing support for contemporary art,” said Patrick Marinoff, Global Brand Manager Maybach.

Maybach establishes partnership with the Louvre
As of 2011, Maybach is also the first and exclusive automotive partner of the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris supporting contemporary art installations beneath the glass pyramid. In the next three years, the central pillar under the famed pyramid will showcase a rotating series of sculptures by internationally known, Maybach-supported contemporary artists and sculptors. This is the first time since the pyramid was built in 1989 that this area in the Louvre’s entrance is being used for presentations of works of art. The Louvre is expanding its contemporary art program through cooperative efforts with the Stuttgart-based luxury brand. The first rotating installation begins with a sculpture by English artist Tony Cragg, on display from January to October 2011.

Comprehensive engagement for top-class contemporary art
In the past five years, Maybach has established itself internationally in the world of contemporary art and has focused efforts in supporting well-known artists and projects, art institutions and museums. In 2005, Maybach supported the artistic duo of Christo and Jeanne-Claude with their spectacular project “The Gates” in New York’s Central Park. In 2009, the luxury brand cooperated with the photographer David LaChapelle. Maybach’s support of renowned institutions in the art world encompasses partnerships with the Beyeler Fondation in Switzerland, and, as of 2011, the Louvre in Paris. Beyond these efforts, Maybach is regularly present at significant art events such as the St. Moritz Art Masters. Maybach’s efforts also include the coupling of art and social engagement in keeping with the mentoring principles of the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation.

Source: Daimler AG

The Maybach DRS – “Den-Riki-Sha” (= electrically driven rickshaw) – blends the very latest automotive technology, luxurious comfort, and the highest safety levels with the needs of an environmentally aware world and the traditional values of the classic “Jin-Riki-Sha” (human-powered rickshaw). The futuristic four-seater is created through metamorphosis from a DNA cocoon, making it the world’s first naturally manufactured vehicle. The rickshaw was developed by the designers at the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Tokyo – participating in the Los Angeles Design Challenge for the first time.

The design competition had invited international automotive design studios to draw up their vision of a car that weighs 1,000 American pounds (around 454 kilogrammes) (kerb weight). The remit was to create a four-seater small car that is safe and comfortable, offering good handling and first-class design. “This was a major challenge – in particular for a brand such as Maybach, whose luxury has thus far manifested itself not least in the vehicles’ size. This is why, when building the Maybach DRS, we combined the European concept of luxury with the Asian feel for optimum use of space, so we were able to create a vehicle which blends both in an intelligent manner. Thereby we have shortly undermatched the weight limit”, explained Holger Hutzenlaub, who heads the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Tokyo.

The amalgamation of organic intelligence and biomechanical engineering artistry
Breathtaking looks, polished luxury, and technical brilliance characterise the ambitious development of the Maybach DRS. The design is reminiscent of a butterfly’s cocoon, light and elegant as it floats between two oversized wheels. The rickshaw is made in a unique, natural production process. Through a complex and perfect metamorphosis a finished vehicle is developed from a DNA cocoon: Organic intelligence blends with advanced biomechanical engineering. The result is a futuristic combination of an ultralight structure and an unparalleled luxury exterior and interior – for a limited number of exclusive vehicles.

The vehicle frame consists of carbon fibres and organic composite materials, whilst the doors and windows are made of injection-moulded polycarbonate and the panoramic roof of flexible organic composite materials. The Maybach DRS is powered by two 20 kW electric motors which are positioned in the wheel hubs and are self-balancing. The energy required is produced by a lithium-ion battery in the tail end. An on-board computer ensures optimum control, communicating with the metropolis’s transport infrastructure, and thus guaranteeing a smooth, luxurious ride through the city. In order to increase the vehicle’s range, the human/electric hybrid also allows additional pedal force, which is produced by the driver.

Totally true to the grand Maybach tradition of luxurious mobility, the Maybach DRS – “Den-Riki-Sha” – is carrying forward this heritage, paying homage to the roads of tomorrow.

Source: Daimler AG

Star photographer David LaChapelle and the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation are supporting the highly talented artist for a whole year, paving the way to an international career for him. The leitmotif of this joint undertaking is the re-interpretation of “Exposure of Luxury”. At the same time it forms the next step of the cooperation with the US star photographer, which began a year ago with the artistic showcasing of Maybach luxury saloons and bore the titles “Exposure of Luxury” and “Berlin Stories”. Both photos are on display during the St. Moritz Art Masters – for selected guests at the Chesa Lumpaz. A lavish catalogued documentation of the photo shoot, by the name of “Bliss amongst Chaos” gives a comprehensive insight into the way in which David LaChapelle works.

In 26-year-old Garret Suhrie the team has found an up-and-coming photographer who already displayed an enormous amount of talent in his younger years, when he would document the decaying industrial facilities in his home city of Harrisburg in Pennsylvania. After training to become a photographer in Philadelphia, Tokyo and Rome, he moved to Los Angeles, where he has been working since 2007. His portfolio encompasses a comprehensive range of works in the spheres of advertising, fashion and also editorial photo spreads for magazines like Flaunt, Blink and Collective. Several exhibitions, plus the inclusion of his pictures in National Geographic’s photo archive bear witness to the aspiring photographer’s abilities. Since 2007 Garret Suhrie has been working with David LaChapelle as a studio manager. During the St. Moritz Art Masters some images from his extensive oeuvre are also being shown at the Chesa Lumpaz.

“The nomination of Garret Suhrie as the mentoring scheme’s protégé was made unanimously”, explained Patrick Marinoff, Global Brand Manager Maybach. “He bowled everyone over with his huge talent and his very personal pictorial language. That’s why we are delighted to be able to support him on what will without doubt be his very successful career path”. Jutta Aldenhoff, Executive Director of the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation added: “All those involved in this mentoring project will play their part in ensuring that the year is a successful one for Garret Suhrie. The Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation is going to take on the project management role and together with David LaChapelle we will implement an individual plan for the mentoring year’s content and schedule.”

Tailor-made excellence – the mentoring scheme
“One of the most important things I can do in my career is to share my experience with aspiring artists. I have had the honor to work with and learn from some of the most important artists of our time. I feel that the time they spent with me would be wasted if I didn’t share what I learned from them. The Maybach Mentorship program has provided me with an amazing opportunity to share that knowledge with a young artist whose talent I believe in. I hope that in working with Garret Suhrie, I am able to offer him a fraction of the knowledge that so many have shared with me”, explained David LaChapelle. The star photographerwill be helping Garret Suhrie until August 2011, and during this time he will be accompanying his protégé at work and letting him share his experiences. In addition to this the young photographer will gain access to contacts on the international art scene via the network of David LaChapelle and the Maybach Foundation. The Maybach Foundation will also be organising exhibitions of his pictures in Europe and the USA, and integrating him in its own activities. A wide range of communications measures and financial support round off the package which the scheme is providing. The aim is to foster Garret Suhrie’s great talent with an eye on the long term, preparing the ground for an international career as a top photographer. “Until now, I’ve mostly been keeping my work to myself, not sharing it with any public audience. The most valuable thing anybody can give me is a forum to share my passions that are conveyed through the language of photography. So I am happy to have been chosen for the Maybach Mentorship program and hope to be able to pass on my experiences one day too”, said Garret Suhrie.

Maybach – commitment to art, focusing on three principal areas
For a number of years now Maybach has been successfully established in the international world of contemporary art. This tradition-steeped automotive Manufaktur works together with top international artists and backs renowned institutions on the art scene. This involvement began back in 2005, in the form of support for the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude and their spectacular project “The Gates” in New York’s Central Park. Following further partnerships, the luxury brand presented the Maybach Art Cars – designed by Tim Berresheim in August 2009. The spectacular cooperation with David LaChapelle came later that same year. As well as working alongside individual artists, providing long-term support for internationally reputed institutions in the art world is another of the main focal points of Maybach’s involvement in art. These include the partnership with the Fondation Beyeler and cooperation with the Fondation Maeght. Maybach is also present at important events in the field of art, such as the St. Moritz Art Masters and Art Basel Miami Beach. This work is rounded off by the linking of art and social commitment – in keeping with the mentoring philosophy of the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation. Through its involvement in art, Maybach creates exclusive access to art itself, artists and renowned art fairs and also to the brand and the saloons for its customers – in a unique vein with which Wilhelm Maybach would certainly have identified when he created his legendary car: luxurious, fascinating and ahead of its time.

Source: Daimler AG

The current Giacometti exhibition being put on by the Fondation Maeght – which was founded by husband and wife Marguerite and Aimé Maeght in 1964 – is yet another highlight in Maybach’s support for the art world, which stretches back for years. The Fondation Maeght is one of the most important private collections in the world. More than12.000 works attract over 200.000 visitors from all over the globe to the South of France every single year. Alongside the Kunsthaus Zurich and the Fondation Beyeler in Basel, the foundation owns one of the most comprehensive collections of works by the Swiss artist Giacometti. “We are delighted to be able to support such an important exhibition”, comments Patrick Marinoff, Global Brand Manager Maybach. “Maybach and the Fondation Maeght both stand for exclusivity, fascination and the very highest calibre.”

Involvement with art has three focal points
For a number of years now Maybach has been helping top international artists and supporting renowned institutions on the art scene. This involvement began in 2005 when the brand cooperated with the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude when they staged their spectacular project “The Gates” in New York’s Central Park. Following further partnerships the luxury brand presented the Maybach Art Cars – designed by Tim Berresheim – in August 2009. The same year saw the brand’s sensational collaboration with David LaChapelle, one of the most famous photographers in the world. His photographs were titled “Exposure of Luxury” and “Berlin Stories” and represented the artistic showcasing of the Maybach Zeppelin limited edition special model and its historic forebear dating back to the 1930s. They celebrated their world premiere at Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2009.

As well as working together with individual artists, support for institutions with an international profile forms another main point of focus in Maybach’s involvement with art. It includes a partnership with the Fondation Beyeler as well as the current collaboration with the Fondation Maeght. And for the third year running Maybach will also be present at the St. Moritz Art Masters – taking place between 27 August and 5 September.

A major part of the brand’s activities in this sphere involves combining art with work for good causes. As announced at last year’s Art Basel Miami Beach, for example, David LaChapelle will introduce the world to a young artist set to be mentored by him together with the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation – very much in keeping with the principles of this foundation, which brings together young, up-and-coming artists and well-known mentors. Both will be present in St. Moritz from 27 to 29 August, where they will be presenting their joint mentoring project.

Through its involvement in art, Maybach is paving new ways for its customers to encounter art, artists and renowned art fairs, the brand itself and its saloons – very much in the spirit of Wilhelm Maybach when he created his legendary car: luxurious and fascinating – and ahead of its time.

Source: Daimler AG