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BMW’s Art Car Collection is no longer reserved for perfectly lit galleries; the collection is now available for all to see in a virtual video tour.
To coincide with the 40th anniversary of the BMW Group’s international cultural commitment the entire collection is being made available online and a film devoted to each of the 17 works designed by the internationally renowned artists.
“After four decades and 17 BMW Art Cars, they can now all be admired by everybody,” said Bill McAndrews, head of the group's corporate strategy and communications. “Though the originals are often exhibited individually at the BMW Museum in Munich or at significant cultural institutions throughout the world, a comprehensive online tour is now available anywhere and anytime.”
ROLLING SCULPTURE
The initial idea of the collection came from French auctioneer and racing driver Hervé Poulain. In the early 1970's he asked American Alexander Calder to design his BMW racing car that took part in the 24-hour race at Le Mans – a BMW 3.0 CSL. The enthusiastic reception of the rolling sculpture inspired the German manufacturer to create its Art Car Collection.
Seventeen artists from nine countries have contributed towards the collection since 1975, with names such as Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, A R Penck, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer and South Africa’s own Esther Mahlangu adding their signatures to the pieces.
In 2010, BMW celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Art Car series and acclaimed artist Jeff Koons created the 17th vehicle of the collection.
Take a look at the BMW Art Cars.
To coincide with the 40th anniversary of the BMW Group’s international cultural commitment the entire collection is being made available online and a film devoted to each of the 17 works designed by the internationally renowned artists.
“After four decades and 17 BMW Art Cars, they can now all be admired by everybody,” said Bill McAndrews, head of the group's corporate strategy and communications. “Though the originals are often exhibited individually at the BMW Museum in Munich or at significant cultural institutions throughout the world, a comprehensive online tour is now available anywhere and anytime.”
ONE IN 17: Seventeen artists, including South Africa's Esther Mahlangu with the Ndebele art above, have contributed to the collection.
The initial idea of the collection came from French auctioneer and racing driver Hervé Poulain. In the early 1970's he asked American Alexander Calder to design his BMW racing car that took part in the 24-hour race at Le Mans – a BMW 3.0 CSL. The enthusiastic reception of the rolling sculpture inspired the German manufacturer to create its Art Car Collection.
Seventeen artists from nine countries have contributed towards the collection since 1975, with names such as Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, A R Penck, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer and South Africa’s own Esther Mahlangu adding their signatures to the pieces.
In 2010, BMW celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Art Car series and acclaimed artist Jeff Koons created the 17th vehicle of the collection.
Take a look at the BMW Art Cars.
