When Art Replaces Sponsors 3: Dynamic Street Art
04 November 2023 6 min read 10 images
Would you walk down crowded streets or take the subway carrying a painting by a famous artist without protection or packaging? The answer, of course, is no. This explains why cars painted or decorated by artists cannot have a market: it’s like asking a mechanic, after an accident, to step into the shoes of Warhol, Rauschenberg, or Hockney to fix the damage. Yet artist cars have been made for everyday use, notably by BMW through its Art Collection and others. Let’s explore them for the pleasure of the eye.
For the 1982 exhibition Art as Illustration — Illustration as Art, Viennese artist Ernst Fuchs masterfully decorated this BMW 635 CSi, intending for its appearance to inspire imaginations and dreams—a phenomenon tied to all illusions. This was the first BMW Art Car created for purposes other than racing.
In 1986, BMW presented a pristine BMW 635 CSi to famed artist Robert Rauschenberg, who transformed it into a masterpiece. Upon completion, Rauschenberg remarked, "It would be fantastic to have drivable museums. This car is a dream come true for me". His interpretation, reflective of his Pop Art interests, resembles a sketchbook filled with memories and references: paintings by Ingres and Bronzino intermingle with Rauschenberg's works, and the hubcaps are painted with images of ancient decorative plates. It’s impossible for this car to go unnoticed.
The intense pursuit of detail, the meticulous rendering of images, and the mystery of conveyed messages are frequent in Eastern art. Kyoto artist Matazo Kayama’s BMW 535i, decorated with the special Japanese hot stamping technique, embodies this artistic style. Amusingly, Kayama was troubled by having to paint on a large, three-dimensional object like a car rather than a traditional canvas.
From Eastern refinement to the rebellious spirit of German artist A.R. Penck, who in 1991 decorated the BMW Z1 by merging primitive art with his passion for mathematics and philosophy. Penck’s aim was not to enhance the car’s aesthetics but to convey a powerful message through symbols that evoke deep emotions.
The warmth and colors of the Canary Islands shine in the BMW 730i created by Spanish artist César Manrique. Merging speed and aerodynamics with aesthetic appeal, his vibrant colors and sweeping brushstrokes blend with the car’s contours, suggesting effortless movement and agile joy.
Two more stunning vehicles from the BMW Art Car collection, both beyond the racetrack. In 1991, Esther Mahlangu became the first female artist to design a BMW for the collection—a 525i. The South African artist combined ancient tribal art with a modern, fast, high-tech car, creating a striking contrast.
We conclude our journey with the great English artist David Hockney, who tackled a BMW 850 CSi in 1995. Over an extended creative process, Hockney explored the car’s deepest essence, portraying its interior, driver, and even the driver’s dachshund.
Fashion designers can create art too: in 1999, Paul Smith demonstrated this by producing a series of 300 Minis inspired by his striped sweaters. The results perfectly matched the playful style of this unique car.
The Dodge Viper RT 10’s comparison to a blazing meteor is fitting, given the car’s performance. Its owner commissioned Hawaiian artist Christian Riese Lassen to decorate it. The result is striking, contrasting meteor flames with serene depictions of Pacific dolphins, a hallmark of Lassen’s style.
Saudi artist Shalemar Sharbatli hand-painted the Pagani Zonda C12 S in 2018, adorning each panel with unique colors and patterns. Inspired by a client producing diverse leather colors, this groundbreaking project debuted at the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix. Sharbatli also painted a Porsche 911 Carrera (displayed at the Louvre), a Ferrari 360 Modena, and a Mini John Cooper Works.
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