Cars
Auto tattoo
This article discusses the use of decorated cars as a form of artistic expression. It takes a look at the postmodern revolution of the 1980s and how Renault seized the moment to launch its “Supercinq” with a unique character.
It’s weird: we get tattoos on our bodies but we’re afraid of getting them on our cars. Someone in history did just that though, decorating cars to send out a message that went beyond the shape of the model and was reflected onto the vision of the brand or even the image of the customers. BMW were masters of this, but before they arrived, other artists and creatives had proposed decorated cars.
Today we want to remember a very significant case: we’re talking about Renault who, in 1984, for the launch of the “Supercinq” that replaced their iconic R5, seized the moment of the postmodern revolution to give their new car a character that was truly relevant. The similarity to the previous one – both a plus and a minus at the same time – required a touch of imagination.
Eight personalities were chosen for the project: the design was entrusted to two great masters, Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendini. The aesthetics to Franco Maria Ricci and Paolo Portoghesi. For fashion Gianfranco Ferré. For the artistic trends of the time, Mario Mertz, Michelangelo Pistoletto and Ugo Nespolo. Other artists were also involved, such as the French genius Roland Topor and Emilio Vedova.
