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Automotive Works of Art: Calder, Warhol, Hockney, Koons Projects
🇵🇱 Poland /Culture & Society

Automotive Works of Art: Calder, Warhol, Hockney, Koons Projects

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • The BMW Art Car collection, featuring works by artists like Calder, Warhol, and Koons, is on display in Munich for the first time in its entirety.
  • The collection began in 1975 with Alexander Calder's reinterpretation of a racing BMW 3.0 CSL.
  • Andy Warhol's 1979 BMW M1 project is highlighted, showcasing his unique approach to painting the car in just 28 minutes.

Munich – For the first time, the complete BMW Art Car collection, showcasing automotive masterpieces designed by renowned artists, is on public display in Munich. This exhibition marks the culmination of the BMW Art Car World Tour, which has previously exhibited select pieces in 30 countries.

The collection's origins trace back to 1975 with Alexander Calder's artistic transformation of a BMW 3.0 CSL racing car. Calder, celebrated for his kinetic sculptures, was invited by French racing driver Hervé Poulain and BMW Motorsport chief Jochen Neerpasch to create the artwork. His vibrant red, yellow, blue, and white design adorned the car, which competed in the 1975 24 Hours of Le Mans, garnering significant attention for its visual appeal and dynamic presence.

The entire press – not just art, but also sports – chose our car as their favorite at Le Mans because it was visually beautiful, fun, and therefore extremely efficient. Can you imagine?!

— Alexander CalderDescribing the reception of his BMW Art Car at the 1975 Le Mans race.

Among the collection's iconic pieces is Andy Warhol's 1979 project, a BMW M1. Unlike serigraphic reproductions, Warhol opted for direct brushstrokes on the unique object. Walter Maurer, a former lecturer at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts who assisted with many BMW Art Car projects, recalled Warhol's process: "I mixed all the colors for him, chose the brushes, large markers, and then he started painting. And after 28 minutes, his BMW was ready." Maurer noted that Warhol, initially reserved, displayed a smile upon completing the M1, his expressive gestures reminiscent of Jackson Pollock's action painting, albeit using fast-drying paints in a workshop setting.

The exhibition also touches upon the latest projects in the collection, which integrate art with sustainability and social responsibility. The Art Cars, produced and owned by BMW, are not for sale and are considered collector's items, representing a unique fusion of automotive engineering and contemporary art.

I mixed all the colors for him, chose the brushes, large markers, and then he started painting. And after 28 minutes, his BMW was ready.

— Walter MaurerRecounting Andy Warhol's rapid painting process for his BMW Art Car.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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