Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Frank Stella's BMW M1 art car finds a new home in the Hamptons]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/07/frank-stellas-bmw-m1-art-car-finds-a-new-home-in-the-hamptons/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/07/frank-stellas-bmw-m1-art-car-finds-a-new-home-in-the-hamptons/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/07/frank-stellas-bmw-m1-art-car-finds-a-new-home-in-the-hamptons/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

1979 BMW M1 Procar art car by Frank Stella

Art cars are growing in popularity, with a number of automakers and their subsidiaries getting on board the trend. But BMW is where it all started. The German automaker has been at it since 1975. A good blogger's dozen of them have been commissioned for BMW over the years, and every one of them has remained in the company's private collection. Except one.

That one is the M1 Procar you see here, painted by Frank Stella in 1979. It remains the only example in the series that was created for a private individual with BMW's blessing. After years in the Guggenheim, Bonhams auctioned it off a couple of months ago at Monterey for a whopping $854,000 - well above estimate.

So who bought it? Jonathan Sobel, owner of (among other interests) BMW of Southampton, way out at the eastern end of New York's Long Island. The dealership is just settling in to its new showroom on Montauk Highway, and that's where the M1 art car will be showcased for much of the new year ahead. So if your plans include a trip out to the Hamptons, you may want to stop by for a rare glimpse. Press release after the jump.

Continue reading Frank Stella's BMW M1 art car finds a new home in the Hamptons

Frank Stella's BMW M1 art car finds a new home in the Hamptons originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart carbmwbmw art carbmw m1bmw m1 art carbmw m1 procarbmw of southamptonfrank stellajonathan sobelm1sobelstellaFri, 07 Oct 2011 08:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20074235/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/07/frank-stellas-bmw-m1-art-car-finds-a-new-home-in-the-hamptons/20074235/article-detail.xml 20074235 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/web628-stellabmw1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/web628-stellabmw1.jpg <![CDATA[BMW opens Art Car collection to the public with virtual gallery [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/11/bmw-opens-art-car-collection-to-the-public-with-virtual-gallery/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/11/bmw-opens-art-car-collection-to-the-public-with-virtual-gallery/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/11/bmw-opens-art-car-collection-to-the-public-with-virtual-gallery/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BMW 3.0 CSL by Alexander Calder
BMW 3.0 CSL by Alexander Calder - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Nobody does Art Cars quite like BMW. Others try, from time to time, sure. But over the past 40 years, the Bavarian automaker has collaborated with world-renowned artists to create no fewer than 17 unique art cars, each a work of art in its own right.

One of the things we love the most about BMWs art cars is that, as creative as they are, they're not just for show. Many of them have been raced, and raced hard - from the first 3.0 CSL painted by Alexander Calder (pictured above) to the latest M3 GT2 by Jeff Koons.

Unfortunately, while the cars have gone on display in galleries and museums around the world, seeing all 17 in one place is a rarity. So to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the art car program, BMW has put the entire collection online. Each car gets its own exhibit and film highlighting its creation, all laid out in a virtual museum.

There's also a forty-minute video on the history of the program, a short synopsis of which we've got in the clip after the jump along with the full press release, along with a smattering of official images in the first gallery and our own photos in the second gallery from when four of the collection's finest came to LA. Click on to check it out, and follow the link to BMW's online art car exhibition.

Continue reading BMW opens Art Car collection to the public with virtual gallery [w/video]

BMW opens Art Car collection to the public with virtual gallery [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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McLaren F1 GTR art car by César - Click above for high-res image gallery

Over a decade since its inception, the McLaren F1 remains one of the fastest supercars ever made, and as such, a highly coveted collectors' item. The race-spec McLaren F1 GTR, even more so. But a McLaren F1 GTR art car? Now we're talking.

Those in the know may be familiar with BMW's art car project. Started in the 1970s, the Bavarian automaker began commissioning renowned artists to use their cars as canvas and transform them into rolling works of art. Many of them - in fact most of them - were raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans after their vernissage, straight through to the M3 GT2 painted by Jeff Koons which BMW campaigned at this year's race.

Looking at this McLaren racer, you may think to yourself, "Wait a second, that's not a BMW!" But just stop right there, because while this may not have been part of BMW's official art car program, the McLaren F1 was powered by BMW engines, and even received a measure of factory support. Chassis #5 was acquired by French gentleman racer Jean-Luc Maury-Laribiére, who campaigned it at Le Mans in 1994. The following year, noted French artist César gave the car a suitably Giger-esque paint job.

Now it's headed to the auction block - along with a handful of Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Aston Martins - where it is expected to fetch between two and two-and-a-half million euros (about $2.5-3 million) at the hands of Artcurial Motors on July 9 during the Le Mans Classic. If your French is up to speed, you can check out the details in the press release after the jump, but the images in the gallery below require no translation.


Gallery: McLaren F1 GTR art car by Cesar


[Source: Artcurial]

Continue reading McLaren F1 GTR art car tipped to fetch $3 Million at auction

McLaren F1 GTR art car tipped to fetch $3 Million at auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>art carArtCarartcurialartcurial motorsArtcurialMotorsauctionbmw art carBmwArtCarcésarcesarle mansle mans classicLeMansLeMansClassicmclarenmclaren F1mclaren f1 gtrMclarenF1MclarenF1GtrFri, 18 Jun 2010 11:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19520166/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/18/mclaren-f1-gtr-art-car-tipped-to-fetch-3-million-at-auction/19520166/article-detail.xml 19520166 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/web630-1mc-artcar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/web630-1mc-artcar.jpg <![CDATA[BMW Art Car and all-female Ford GT out of Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/12/bmw-art-car-and-all-female-ford-gt-out-of-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/12/bmw-art-car-and-all-female-ford-gt-out-of-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/12/bmw-art-car-and-all-female-ford-gt-out-of-le-mans/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BMW Art Car is done
BMW Art Car and all-female Ford GT out of Le Mans - Click above for image gallery

Artist Jeff Koons' special paint scheme is now the only thing that makes the #79 BMW M3 GT2 Art Car look like it's moving. Just after starting the sixth hour of the 24 hours of Le Mans, the BMW was crawling around the track for the third time. Andy Priaulx pulled off the course onto the grass and began swerving back and forth as though he was out of fuel. Unfortunately, it was to no avail as the M3 rolled to a stop for good. The marshals pushed the car behind the guardrail and Priaulx set off on foot for the pits.

Meanwhile in GT1, the all-female team of Natacha Gachnang, Cyndie Allemann and Rahel Frey have finished their race in the #61 Ford GT as well. At about the same time the BMW Art Car gave up the ghost, Gachnang pulled over right in front of the marshal's stand at the Mulsanne corner with thick smoke pouring out of the Ford. Gachnang, who has been limping on crutches all week, was able to crawl out of the car just as the marshals arrived with fire extinguishers. At this point, we haven't heard the cause of the fire.


Gallery: BMW Art Car and all-female Ford GT out of Le Mans


[Source: Speed]

BMW Art Car and all-female Ford GT out of Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Jun 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 Hours of Le Mans24 hours of lemans24HoursOfLeMansbmwbmw art carBMW M3bmw m3 gt2BMW M3 GT2 Art CarBmwArtCarBmwM3BmwM3Gt2BmwM3Gt2ArtCarfordford gtFordGtLe Mansle mans 2010Le Mans 24 HoursLeMansLeMans2010LeMans24HoursSat, 12 Jun 2010 15:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19513884/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/12/bmw-art-car-and-all-female-ford-gt-out-of-le-mans/19513884/article-detail.xml 19513884 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/artcarfordgt000opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/artcarfordgt000opt.jpg <![CDATA[Lead Audi nearly taken out of Le Mans by BMW Art Car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/12/lead-audi-nearly-taken-out-of-le-mans-by-bmw-art-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/12/lead-audi-nearly-taken-out-of-le-mans-by-bmw-art-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/12/lead-audi-nearly-taken-out-of-le-mans-by-bmw-art-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BMW Art Car meets Audi R15
BMW Art Car and lead Audi R15 TDI altercation - Click above for image gallery

Just four hours into the 24 Hours of Le Mans, eight-time-winner Tom Kristensen's race almost ended after contact with the BMW M3 GT2 Art Car. Audi R15 driver Kristensen was the lead Audi at the time, running a lap down in fourth overall when he went off into the gravel at Porsche curves after overtaking the Jeff Koons-liveried BMW.

The Art Car was limping back to the pits with a punctured left front tire and drifted wide in the right-hand sweeper when Kristensen arrived on the scene. TK had to make a quick choice at speed and opted for the outside, assuming the BMW would stay inside. Unfortunately, the BMW was unable to turn in, and the Audi ended up going across the gravel and backing into the wall.

Fortunately for Audi, Kristensen kept the engine running and got a push of out the gravel. Back in the pits, the car was taken into the garage, where the crew descended upon it with huge shop vacs to get the gravel out. After two and a half minutes, fresh rear bodywork and a new wing were attached and the R15 was on its way again, another lap down. The #7 Audi is now running seventh overall.


Gallery: Lead Audi nearly taken out of Le Mans by BMW Art Car


[Source: SPEED TV]

Lead Audi nearly taken out of Le Mans by BMW Art Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeff Koons BMW M3 GT2 art car - Click above for high-res image gallery

The latest in a 35-year-long run of BMW art cars was unveiled in Paris today ahead of its participation in next week's 24 hours of Le Mans. The M3 GT2 was painted by American artist Jeff Koons with a multicolored theme that should look pretty wild when photographed running down the Mulsanne straight after dark.

Koons first approached BMW about creating an art car in 2003, but the project finally came to fruition earlier this year. Over the last four months Koons has worked closely with the BMW Motorsports squad on the application of the graphics to ensure they didn't have any negative affect on the car's aerodynamics.

Several of the 16 previous art cars have also run at Le Mans including the very first one created by Alexander Calder in 1975 and the 1999 V12 LMR painted by Jenny Holzer. This year the #79 art car will be driven by Andy Priaulx (GB), Dirk Müller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE) while the standard white "Joy"-liveried #78 will be piloted by Jörg Müller (DE), Augusto Farfus (BR), Uwe Alzen (DE). Video of the unveiling is after the jump.


Gallery: Jeff Koons BMW M3 GT2 art car


[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW art car by Jeff Koons unveiled for 24 Hours of Le Mans [w/video]

BMW art car by Jeff Koons unveiled for 24 Hours of Le Mans [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 Hours of Le Mans24 hours of lemans24HoursOfLeMans3 series3Seriesbmwbmw art carBMW M3bmw m3 gt2BMW M3 GT2 Art CarBmwArtCarBmwM3BmwM3Gt2BmwM3Gt2ArtCarJeff KoonsJeff Koons Art CarJeff Koons BMW Art CarJeff Koons BMW M3 GT2 Art CarJeffKoonsJeffKoonsArtCarJeffKoonsBmwArtCarJeffKoonsBmwM3Gt2ArtCarWed, 02 Jun 2010 10:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19500014/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/06/02/bmw-art-car-by-jeff-koons-unveiled-for-24-hours-of-le-mans-w-vi/19500014/article-detail.xml 19500014 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/p90061292highresopt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/p90061292highresopt.jpg <![CDATA[BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo gets artsy with Patricia Urquiola and Giulio Ridolfo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/21/bmw-5-series-gran-turismo-gets-artsy-with-patricia-urquiola-and/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/21/bmw-5-series-gran-turismo-gets-artsy-with-patricia-urquiola-and/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/21/bmw-5-series-gran-turismo-gets-artsy-with-patricia-urquiola-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Dwelling Lab - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's safe to say you won't be seeing this BMW art car lapping Sarthe any time soon. The Bavarian automaker teamed up with textiles manufacturer Kvadrat and Flos to create "The Dwelling Lab" - a design installation. The brain child of artists designers (Thanks, Lorenzo!) Patricia Urquiola and Guilio Ridolfo, the exercise was designed to strut both BMW's and Kvadrat and Flos' commitments to creativity. Or something.

We won't pretend to be art critics, so we'll avoid strutting our ignorance by throwing judgment against the fabric-covered 5-Series Gran Turismo. Instead, we'll do our best to describe the piece and let you do the judging for yourself.

Urquiola wanted to draw the viewer's focus to the interior of the car, so she created the massive fabric cones called "diamonds" to pull your look inward. Sure enough, it's effective. You can't help but look toward the car's cloth-swaddled guts. The piece will be on display during the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, held in Milan all this month. You'll find the press release after the jump.


Gallery: The Dwelling Lab


[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo gets artsy with Patricia Urquiola and Giulio Ridolfo

BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo gets artsy with Patricia Urquiola and Giulio Ridolfo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-Series Gran Turismo5-series GT5-seriesGranTurismo5-seriesGtArt CarsArtCarsBMWBMW 5-Series Gran TurismoBMW 5-Series GTBMW Art CarBMW Art CarsBMW Design InstallationBmw5-seriesGranTurismoBmw5-seriesGtBmwArtCarBmwArtCarsBmwDesignInstallationKvadrat and FlosKvadratAndFlosWed, 21 Apr 2010 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19447280/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/21/bmw-5-series-gran-turismo-gets-artsy-with-patricia-urquiola-and/19447280/article-detail.xml 19447280 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/02-dwelling-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/02-dwelling-630.jpg <![CDATA[BMW picks Jeff Koons as artist for next Art Car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/bmw-picks-jeff-koons-as-artist-for-next-art-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/bmw-picks-jeff-koons-as-artist-for-next-art-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/bmw-picks-jeff-koons-as-artist-for-next-art-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you're at all familiar with contemporary art, then you know that Jeff Koons is a triple, double-dog super megastar. Deeply controversial within the art world (Koons is a former stock broker that copied Andy Warhol's Factory techniques and hired an image consultant), Koons is perhaps best known for his three gold leaf sculptures of Michael Jackson and his chimp, Bubbles. Some of Koons' pieces have sold for more than $25 million - and if you ever find yourself at the Moderne Kunst in Berlin, be sure to check out the sexy sculptures of Koons and his then-wife la Cicciolina - the porn star and Italian member of parliament - doin' it.

BMW, for one, seems to have taken notice, and has asked Koons to build/style its next Art Car. As it happens, this is the 35th anniversary of the automaker's Art Car program. There aren't any details yet as to what Koons has in mind (nor even which BMW will get the treatment) but the car will be "revealed later in the year." Ironically, we've already speculated on what a Jeff Koons designed car might look and behave like. Regardless of the finished product, Koons joins a veritable who's who of contemporary modern artists that have turned out BMW Art Cars, including Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, and Alexander Calder. Press release after the jump.


Gallery: BMW Art Cars at L.A. County Museum of Art


[Source: BMW | Image: Mira Oberman/AFP/Getty Images]

Continue reading BMW picks Jeff Koons as artist for next Art Car

BMW picks Jeff Koons as artist for next Art Car originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andy WarholAndy Warhol Art CarAndyWarholAndyWarholArtCarArt CarArtCarBMW Art CarBmwArtCarJeff KoonsJeff Koons Art CarJeff Koons BMW Art CarJeffKoonsJeffKoonsArtCarJeffKoonsBmwArtCarTue, 02 Feb 2010 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19341699/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/02/bmw-picks-jeff-koons-as-artist-for-next-art-car/19341699/article-detail.xml 19341699 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/par2144671-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/par2144671-630op.jpg <![CDATA[Pics Aplenty: BMW Art Cars at Los Angeles County Museum of Art]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/15/pics-aplenty-bmw-art-cars-at-los-angeles-county-museum-of-art/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/15/pics-aplenty-bmw-art-cars-at-los-angeles-county-museum-of-art/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/15/pics-aplenty-bmw-art-cars-at-los-angeles-county-museum-of-art/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the BMW Art Cars at the L.A. County Museum of Art

Last week, we told you that four of BMW's Art Cars were starting their North American tour in L.A., and that if you were in the area you should go check them out. Well, we took our own advice and spent a sunny SoCal Saturday afternoon at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art admiring the cars. On display are some of the most famous examples (most of the sixteen-car collection remains at BMW's museum in Munich) including Andy Warhol's 1979 BMW M1 Group 4 racer, Frank Stella's 1976 BMW 3.0 CSL, Roy Lichtenstein's 1977 BMW 320i Group 5 racer, and Robert Rauschenberg's 1986 BMW 635csi. The cars will be at the museum in Los Angeles until February 24. From there, they head to New York from March 24 to April 6 and then on to Mexico after that. For those of you who you can't see the cars in person, we've included plenty of high-res photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: BMW Art Cars at L.A. County Museum of Art


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: BMW Art Cars at Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Pics Aplenty: BMW Art Cars at Los Angeles County Museum of Art originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andy WarholAndyWarholBMWBMW Art CarBMW Art CarsBmwArtCarBmwArtCarsFrank StellaFrankStellaLA County Museum of ArtLaCountyMuseumOfArtLos Angeles County Museum of ArtLosAngelesCountyMuseumOfArtRobert RauschenbergRobertRauschenbergRoy LichtensteinRoyLichtensteinSun, 15 Feb 2009 11:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1460570/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/15/pics-aplenty-bmw-art-cars-at-los-angeles-county-museum-of-art/1460570/article-detail.xml 1460570 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/bmwartcarslacma_lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/bmwartcarslacma_lead.jpg <![CDATA[BMW's Art Cars start North American tour in Los Angeles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/bmws-art-cars-start-north-american-tour-in-los-angeles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/bmws-art-cars-start-north-american-tour-in-los-angeles/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/12/bmws-art-cars-start-north-american-tour-in-los-angeles/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above to view Warhol, Stella, Lichtenstein, and Rauschenberg's BMW Art Cars in high resolution

BMW's world famous Art Cars have been an interesting project since their inception in 1975, attracting some of the world's most notable artists to leave their mark on the Bavarian automobiles. But while the collection of sixteen rolling works of art is permanently housed in BMW's museum in Munich, they've also traveled the world on various tours. The next one has already arrived in North America, with an exhibit opening today at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

Four of the project's most famous works, those of Andy Warhol, Frank Stella (pictured above), Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Rauschenberg, will be on display, free of charge, in the BP Grand Entrance, from February 12-24, before they head off to New York's Grand Central Terminal from March 24-April 6, en route to three locations in Mexico thereafter.

The display is complemented by a behind-the-scenes video of the artists at work, which you can view along with the press release after the jump and the images in the gallery below, but if you're in the LA area, we'd suggest stopping by the LACMA to see these spectacular mobile works of art for yourself.

Gallery: BMW Art Cars


[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW's Art Cars start North American tour in Los Angeles

BMW's Art Cars start North American tour in Los Angeles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Andy WarholAndyWarholart carArtCarautomotive artAutomotiveArtbmwbmw art carBmwArtCarFrank StellaFrankStellalacmalos angeles county museum of artLosAngelesCountyMuseumOfArtRobert RauschenbergRobertRauschenbergRoy LichtensteinRoyLichtensteinThu, 12 Feb 2009 12:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1458087/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/12/bmws-art-cars-start-north-american-tour-in-los-angeles/1458087/article-detail.xml 1458087 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/art-car-web580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/art-car-web580.jpg <![CDATA[BMW's 16th Art Car goes all modern art on us]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/16/bmws-16th-art-car-goes-all-modern-art-on-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/16/bmws-16th-art-car-goes-all-modern-art-on-u/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/16/bmws-16th-art-car-goes-all-modern-art-on-u/#commentsFiled under: ,


click above image for high-res gallery

Behold, the latest addition to BMW's Art Car program, where well known artists are given a BMW on which to spill their creative juices. The above "vehicle" is the result of handing over BMW's hydrogen-powered H2R race car to modern artist Olafur Eliasson.

Let's see if we can explain exactly what you're looking at. As mentioned, this piece is based on the BMW hydrogen-powered H2R race car, which looks like this. Eliasson removed the car's body and replaced it with a combination of steel mesh and reflective steel panels. The car was then been sprayed with 530 gallons of water over the course of several days to create layers of ice. Do you get it? Water --> H2O --> Hydrogen. Clever. All told, the work is 5 feet high, 17 feet long and 8 feet wide and lit from within.

[Source: BMW]

Gallery: BMW Art Car - Olafur Eliasson

Continue reading BMW's 16th Art Car goes all modern art on us

BMW's 16th Art Car goes all modern art on us originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMW Art CarBmwArtCarmodern artModernArtOlafur EliassonOlafurEliassonswedishThu, 16 Aug 2007 13:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/967016/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/08/16/bmws-16th-art-car-goes-all-modern-art-on-u/967016/article-detail.xml 967016 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/p0039007a_450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/08/p0039007a_450.jpg <![CDATA[BMW Art Cars begin international tour]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/08/bmw-art-cars-begin-international-tour/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/08/bmw-art-cars-begin-international-tour/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/08/bmw-art-cars-begin-international-tour/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Frank Stella BMW Art Car
1976 BMW 3.0 CSL by Frank Stella

A group of BMW Art Cars is headed to Gallery Petronas in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this month for the start of a museum tour that will keep the cars on the road until 2010. The Malaysian display runs from from September 14 to October 22 and includes cars by Frank Stella, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Ken Done. After Malaysia, the cars will head to Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand -- the end of the line for that particular group.

At the same time, Art Cars by Alexander Calder, Matazao Kayama, David Hockney and Jenny Holzer will be making the rounds through Taiwan, China, Russia and Africa. From there, a group of Art Cars (BMW doesn't specify which ones) will go to Turkey and then tour the United States and head back to Europe, where France, Spain and Portugal all have events in the works so far.

We'd love to tell you what the US stops will be but we're guessing they aren't finalized (BMW doesn't give any details). They aren't going to arrive here for quite a while anyway. Regardless, we're looking forward to checking out the exhibit when it does. Significant cars by significant artists? We're there.

(Photos, press release after the jump)

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW Art Cars begin international tour

BMW Art Cars begin international tour originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Sep 2006 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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