Brooklyn's MSCHF studio is opening its doors to the public for the first time until May 17 as part of NYCxDesign. The exhibition, titled "Not for Automotive Use", showcases a collection of experimental design pieces resulting from an unexpected partnership between the enigmatic art collective and luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-AMG.
The collaboration has produced sculptural works that repurpose vehicle components into everyday objects. Car parts have been transformed into waste baskets, floor lamps, couches, shelving units, tables, coat racks, and ergonomic chairs – completely reimagining their original automotive function.
Each piece embodies MSCHF's iconoclastic approach while paying tribute to radical Italian design movements of the 1960s. The influence of design pioneers like Achille Castiglioni is evident in the creative repurposing of industrial materials, as luxury automotive components find new life in unexpected forms.
The custom pieces, created using original parts supplied by the German automaker, will be complemented by a limited capsule collection of clothing and accessories. The motorsport-inspired line includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, jackets, pants, and car fresheners.
This unusual partnership demonstrates how automotive engineering can transcend its traditional boundaries and enter the realm of functional art and design. Visitors to the Brooklyn studio have a rare opportunity to experience firsthand how transportation components can be deconstructed and reimagined for non-automotive purposes.
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Andrea Darren
Born in Manchester, from a young age, she was passionate about art and design. She studied at the University of the Arts in London, where she developed her skills in these fields. Today, Andrea works as an editor for a renowned publishing house, combining her love for art and design with her editorial expertise.