Speedy works of art.

BMW Art Cars.

Speedy works of art.BMW Art Cars.

31. May 2017

They race, are traded as works of art and are practically priceless: the BMW Art Cars. For more than 40 years, they have been the highlights of the BMW Art Car Collection, and total now 18 cars. The French auctioneer and hobby race car driver, Hervé Poulain, invented the BMW Art Cars. In 1975, he dreamed of competing in the 24-hour race at Le Mans in an artist-designed racing car. His biggest wish: a super sports car. His greatest happiness: BMW Motorsport GmbH, founded three years previously. They recognised the potential of this seemingly crazy idea, and had a BMW 3.0 CSL painted by the American sculptor Alexander Calder. A few months later, Poulain unveiled the powerful multi-colour lightweight coupé at Le Mans – the first instance of BMW performance art. Since then, the BMW M Art Cars have been hot-selling exhibits. And some of the most spectacular combinations of speed and beauty.

The future is now: Cao Fei is the youngest and first Chinese artist ever to create a BMW Art Car by employing augmented and virtual reality. Her work, based on the BMW M6 GT3, is a reflection on the speed of change in China, on tradition and future. Paying tribute to the carbon fiber structure of the racecar chassis, Cao Fei’s holistic use of a non-reflective black incorporates the car into the possibilities of the digital world. In November 2017, the BMW M6 GT3 Art Car will race at the FIA GT World Cup in Macau.

” To me, light represents thoughts. As the speed of thoughts cannot be measured, the #18 Art Car questions the existence of the boundaries of the human mind. ”
Cao Fei, Chinese artist about her BMW Art Car

John Baldessari BMW M6 GTLM.

Presented at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2016, the BMW M6 GTML is the newest BMW Art Car. Behind the 19th BMW Art Car is the American conceptual artist John Baldessari. He gave the 585 hp racing car some minimalist touches in red, yellow, blue and green, and added the word “FAST”. The most striking feature is the red dot on the roof, making the BMW M6 stand out even more from above.

” You can say that the BMW Art Car is clearly a typical Baldessari, and the fastest work of art that I’ve ever created. ”
John Baldessari on his BMW M creation

Jeff Koons BMW M3 GT2.

Bright colours, wild stripes and depictions of explosions decorated the BMW M3 GT2 by Jeff Koons. It was a real crowd magnet when it arrived on the starting line of the 24-hour race at Le Mans on June 12, 2010 – despite technical problems and an early withdrawal after five hours.

Sandro Chia BMW M3 GTR.

The prototype of the later BMW M3 GTR was the canvas for the Italian avant-garde artist Sandro Chia. Even as a child, he painted graffiti on cars. But whether they ever competed in a race remains unknown. And as if the brand-new racing car didn’t catch enough eyes, Chia painted countless faces and a sea of colours on the body. “This car reflects all those looking and watching.” Even at a top speed of 300 km/h.

Ken Done BMW M3.

The BMW M3 by Ken Done is also typically Australian. With its exotic colours and clear shapes, it is not only reminiscent of nature, sun and beaches, but also hints at next season’s beach fashion. A racing car that combines unrivalled dynamics with a pure Australian love for life. In 1987, the BMW M3 won the driving championships of the Australian Group A.

” I painted parrots and parrot fish. Both are beautiful and move with fantastical speed. I wanted my BMW Art Car to deliver the same impression. ”
Ken Done, a graduate of the National Art School in East Sydney, and today a renowned Australian artist.

Michael Jagamara Nelson BMW M3.

Seven days, 300 hp and the colours of the outback. This was the 1989 BMW M3 designed by Michael Jagamara Nelson. “The car is like a landscape as seen from the plane,” explained the artist with Aboriginal roots, and one of the leading contemporary representatives of Papunya art. He painted the black-finished high-performance sports car with abstract shapes that turn out to be emus and kangaroos on closer inspection. He adapted the ancient Aboriginal technique of capturing personal experience and religious myths in so-called “dreamings” – usually seen on rock and cave walls. This BMW M3 is an original from the Motorsport Department of BMW Australia – a true ethno-art work.

” The car is a landscape – as if seen from an airplane. ”
Jagamara Nelson, artist with Aboriginal roots and leading representative of Papunya art.

Andy Warhol BMW M1.

The BMW M1 marked the starting point of M GmbH in 1978, and is still regarded as the ultimate super sports car. So it’s no surprise that none other than Andy Warhol should have designed the car. The sleek inline 6-cylinder with gull wing doors and pop-up headlights was an absolute novelty in the history of racing with 470 hp. When the BMW M1 is in full throttle, all lines and colours blur into a regular colour explosion. Speed has never been depicted so beautifully. Supposedly, Andy Warhol finished his painting in just over 28 minutes.

” I love this car. It’s better than any work of art. ”
Andy Warhol on the BMW M1

MORE BMW ART CARS AT THE BMW MUSEUM.

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MORE HIGHLIGHTS:

BMW M4 Coupé
Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 10.0 - 9.9 (9.3)

CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 227 - 225 (213 - 211)

The figures in brackets refer to the vehicle with seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic. Consumption data is determined in accordance to the ECE driving cycle. The models illustrated include equipment

All vehicles, equipment, combination possibilities and varieties shown here are examples and can differ in your country. In no way do they constitute a binding offer by the BMW M GmbH. Visit your local BMW website or see your authorised BMW M Retailer for accurate details on the offers in your country.

Speedy works of art.

BMW Art Cars.