All BMW art cars: where art meets cars

How many times, when we look closely at the timeless lines of a classic car or a supercar, have we told ourselves that it was a work of art. And finally, it is often like this: the history of the car is full of pieces that stand for their very high historical and motorsport value that, for one reason or another, become objects that can be shown in art. gallery or museum. This has happened many times, just think of the Ferrari exhibition that was established at MoMA in New York – which we mentioned when talking about the 5 most interesting models of the Maranello company. One example in particular has been recognized as a work of art, the 250 Gto from 1962.

In associating art with cars, however, every self-respecting true fan of four wheels cannot avoid deviating, with extreme certainty, from the BMW Art Cars project. It all started in 1975, when driver and auctioneer Hervé Poulain commissioned the great American artist Alexander Calder to paint what would become BMW’s first Art car. It was the 3.0 CSL, which the good Poulain used in the 24 hours of Le Mans. that year.

After Calder, many famous artists were involved in the project: Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Ernst Fuchs, Robert Rauschenberg, Michael Nelson Jagamarra, Ken Done, Matazo Kayama, César Manrique, AR Penck, Esther Mahlangu, Sandro Chia, David . Hockney, Jenny Holzer, Ólafur Elíasson, Robin Rhode, Jeff Koons, John Baldessari and Cai Fei. The latest work in the series, which currently has 20 units, was presented last June and is signed by Julie Mehretu.