BMW art cars
Symbiosis between BMW cars and art
The concept for the BMW art cars was introduced by Hervé Poulain, an auctioneer and ardent racing driver from France. Poulain was searching for a link between art and cars and he asked his friend and renowned artist Alexander Calder to paint a rolling canvas on the BMW 3.0 CSL that he would race in the 1975 Le Mans endurance race. Poulain’s 3.0 CSL was the first car to create a symbiosis between the world of art and the world of motorsport. Prompted by enormous enthusiasm for this work of art on wheels, BMW then decided to put its brilliant idea of establishing the Art Car Collection into practice.
BMW art cars gallery
In the years that followed, this unique combination of motorsport and design fascinated the famous artists of our time - Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol have all turned BMW racing sportscars into Art Cars.
The spectrum of designated models widened in the ‘80s; the painted bodywork was no longer restricted to racing cars that had taken part in the renowned 24-hour race at Le Mans, but now encompassed all BMW production models.
The concept of BMW automobiles as mobile canvases of symbolism and expression raced around the track creating stunning visuals envisioned by many esteemed artists.
This historical collection examines connections between auto technology and cultural trends during the 70s, 80s and 90s. Together, the art cars form a mirror of contemporary culture, as exemplary as it is unique.
The Art Cars reflect the cultural-historical development of art, design and technology and have been exhibited at museums around the world, including the Louvre in Paris, the Royal Academy in London, the Whitney Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Palazzo Grassi in Venice, the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and at the Guggenheim museums in New York and Bilbao. BMW Art Cars will also continue to document the fascinating symbiosis of art and technology at future international exhibitions.
The final work of the series to date was completed by the American concept artist Jenny Holzer, who covered the surface of a BMW V12 Le Mans racing car with her word art known as "truisms."
BMW Art Cars Scale Models
BMW released a series of Art Car 1:18 scale models. They are available at selected museum shops and at BMW dealers worldwide.
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