Bentley gets a Brazilian: Continental GT by pop artist Romero Britto
Bentley Continental GT by Romeo Britto - Click above to enlargeWith dozens of exterior paint shades and even more choices for the interior, there's no shortage of color combinations on the Bentley Continental GT. Beyond that, the British automaker's Mulliner customization division will be glad to set yours up any way you want... for a price, of course. But some people are never satisfied with the options laid out before them; people like Romero Britto, the creator of the rather, um..."intriguing" example you see here.
The Brazilian pop artist, whose work hangs in such prestigious museums as New York's MoMA and Guggenheim and the homes of celebrities and notables including Elton John, Governor Schwarzenegger and the Rothschilds, comes from an impoverished village and uses cheerful colors and lively shapes to brighten people's spirits. Do they belong on a Bentley? That's a matter of taste, but curious connoisseurs can see it in person in Britto's exhibition at the Automobil Forum Unter den Linden in Germany from July 10 to September 6, after which the one-of-a-kind creation will be auctioned off to benefit multiple sclerosis and the mentally handicapped. Details in the press release after the jump.
[Source: Bentley]
PRESS RELEASE
Bentley meets pop art
For his exhibition "Come to my World" in Berlin, the famous artist Romero Britto chose a Bentley Continental GT as a canvas for his cheerful and vivid signature motifs.
This is probably one of the most unusual Bentleys ever seen: a large, happy flower, little stars, squiggles and signs dance on the elegant hood and colourful, comic-like figures adorn the doors. The Continental GT – a static prototype built in 2003 – has become a truly unique work of art created by the world-renowned Brazilian artist Romero Britto. Bentley Motors donated the Coupe on the occasion of Britto´s Berlin exhibition "Come to my World" in the Automobil Forum Unter den Linden.
Britto, one of the most admired and popular artists currently working within Pop Art, creates pieces specifically to put a smile on people´s faces. Having grown up in poverty in Recife, Brazil, his work belies his background by creating a fantasy world inhabited by child-like creatures and optimistic, strong colours. "Since everything in life moves toward an end", says Romero Britto, "we should fill our life with colour and hope." His paintings, graphics and sculptures can be admired in many of the world's leading art galleries including the Museum of Modern Art and Guggenheim in New York. He counts the Kennedys, Rothchilds, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steffi Graf and Elton John among his friends and collectors.
Romero was delighted to be given the chance to turn a Bentley into a Pop Art sculpture: "It is the most beautiful and elegant car in the world. The lines of the new design are perfect to paint as a clean canvas. What a way to start a fascinating and colourful journey."
Raul Pires, Head of Exterior Design at Bentley Motors and like Romero Britto, a Brazilian was central to the creation of the Continental GT. He thoroughly agrees with his countryman: "A Bentley holds the unique combination of exhilaration and relaxation in one package. An automotive sculpture with elegant powerful surfaces. The ultimate in craftsmanship."
The Romero Britto exhibition, hosted by the Automobil Forum Unter den Linden in cooperation with the Mensing Gallery, will take place from 10 July until 6 September 2009. In keeping with Britto's wider ideals, at the conclusion of the show, the "Britto-Bentley" will be put up for auction in aid of the Nathalie Todenhöfer Foundation for multiple sclerosis as well as Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to improving the integration of the mentally disabled within society.
Bentley meets pop art
For his exhibition "Come to my World" in Berlin, the famous artist Romero Britto chose a Bentley Continental GT as a canvas for his cheerful and vivid signature motifs.
This is probably one of the most unusual Bentleys ever seen: a large, happy flower, little stars, squiggles and signs dance on the elegant hood and colourful, comic-like figures adorn the doors. The Continental GT – a static prototype built in 2003 – has become a truly unique work of art created by the world-renowned Brazilian artist Romero Britto. Bentley Motors donated the Coupe on the occasion of Britto´s Berlin exhibition "Come to my World" in the Automobil Forum Unter den Linden.
Britto, one of the most admired and popular artists currently working within Pop Art, creates pieces specifically to put a smile on people´s faces. Having grown up in poverty in Recife, Brazil, his work belies his background by creating a fantasy world inhabited by child-like creatures and optimistic, strong colours. "Since everything in life moves toward an end", says Romero Britto, "we should fill our life with colour and hope." His paintings, graphics and sculptures can be admired in many of the world's leading art galleries including the Museum of Modern Art and Guggenheim in New York. He counts the Kennedys, Rothchilds, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steffi Graf and Elton John among his friends and collectors.
Romero was delighted to be given the chance to turn a Bentley into a Pop Art sculpture: "It is the most beautiful and elegant car in the world. The lines of the new design are perfect to paint as a clean canvas. What a way to start a fascinating and colourful journey."
Raul Pires, Head of Exterior Design at Bentley Motors and like Romero Britto, a Brazilian was central to the creation of the Continental GT. He thoroughly agrees with his countryman: "A Bentley holds the unique combination of exhilaration and relaxation in one package. An automotive sculpture with elegant powerful surfaces. The ultimate in craftsmanship."
The Romero Britto exhibition, hosted by the Automobil Forum Unter den Linden in cooperation with the Mensing Gallery, will take place from 10 July until 6 September 2009. In keeping with Britto's wider ideals, at the conclusion of the show, the "Britto-Bentley" will be put up for auction in aid of the Nathalie Todenhöfer Foundation for multiple sclerosis as well as Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to improving the integration of the mentally disabled within society.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Aloysius Vampa 8:08PM (7/04/2009)
Good cause.
Stupid car.
Reply
Kiiks 7:36AM (7/05/2009)
An appropriate car for the charity.
sparrk 12:15PM (7/05/2009)
hm , i think i'm gonna be a pop artist in my spare time. i can draw crap like that too.
Coco 8:37PM (7/04/2009)
Sorry Britto, you've just devalued this car by 50k
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Oluedo 8:43PM (7/04/2009)
Car may be devalued but it brought a huge smile to my face! Wonder why.
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Andy 8:45PM (7/04/2009)
Some artists you canvas, others use clay, this artists decided to use a Bentley. Why not? While it isn't to my tastes, it is unique to say the least.
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Soccer Mom 12:02AM (7/05/2009)
That's a problem with the "unique" artists. Every pupil discharged from the art school for the lack of any talent and creativity can make big bucks if he comes up with a way to paint with his a$$, leaving dual prints on the canvas, or peeing with colorful liquid all over the place on the expensive creation of those who where allowed to stay in the same school because of their talent.
Gee, those black squares, Pollocks and others that have as much value as a paddle of mud leaving random pattern on your car as you drive through it... I can match most of those "talents", but where is my recognition? Let me cut half of my ear...
cm 2:51AM (7/05/2009)
Art is in the eye of the beholder:
http://www.leonelmoura.com/rap.html
http://www.leonelmoura.com/artsbot.html
(and, at least, these require some serious programing skills)
cm 2:57AM (7/05/2009)
To further my point:
If you're Hitler, Stalin, art is soviet/romantic realism; if you're Jerry Garcia, Huxley, art is in a pill/drop; if you're Madoff, Goldman-Sachs, art is in the size of your bank account...
;)
mcampasini 9:16PM (7/04/2009)
andy warhol's art cars were better.
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Someone on the Internet 10:24PM (7/04/2009)
Andy Warhol's art cars were art.
Jon 11:33PM (7/04/2009)
Still a hell lot better than anything Christian Audigier can think of.
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ALEXDB9 12:07AM (7/05/2009)
Good cause, but you stick to making hot chicks Brazil, painting cars isn't your thing
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Prada82 2:27AM (7/05/2009)
What a stupid comment...Brazil doesn't "make" only hot chicks! I mean, that too...But not only this! I bet you don't even know what's the capital of the country...Anyways, nice cause! Congrats to Britto!
Aloysius Vampa 3:15AM (7/05/2009)
Prada, calm down. I believe it was a compliment.
ALEXDB9 5:37AM (7/05/2009)
@Prada. Ahhh, yeah twas a joke. I've been to Rio de Janeiro and that's why I said what I did. Also I'm Cuban and would like to say Spanish>Portuguese if you are Brazilian you know the argument behind that :) Pero si lo hablan un poco lento..yo lo entiendo.
Oh and Brazil has the easiest capital ever...Brasilia. Tchau
PumaGTO 12:25PM (7/05/2009)
indeed Brazil shoud focus MORE on producing hot chicks. The average is falling these days, such a pity. E tente ficar só no inglês mesmo que meu portunhol é horrível.
sparrk 12:48PM (7/05/2009)
such ignorance , Brazil making only hot chicks ! they make good footballers too !
cm 3:26PM (7/05/2009)
Caipirinha!!!
arturo 12:07AM (7/05/2009)
As an artist myself I think Britto failed in his execution of his work. What he did with this expensive car does not seem to complement or enhance the car in any way. In other words is not pleasing to the eye. Yeah its art but in the wrong place. he should of use a design that goes more with this type of cars. I like the blue he choose great color.
Reply