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The Making of BMW Art Cars (1975-1990) - Part 2

BMW is a player not just in races but in arts too. 16 BMW Art Cars have been created so far with American artist Jeff Koons being the most recent artist in the gang. Artists for the BMW Art Car Project are chosen by a panel of international judges. Jeff Koons was announced as the eighteenth in the series of these BMW Art Cars on the 2nd of Feb, 2010. Following Alexander Calder's work of art, many renowned artists throughout the world have created the BMW Art Cars. Here's an opportunity to drive back into the history of these cars.

CESAR MANRIQUE - 1990 | BMW 730i

Cesar Manrique wanted to portray the car as a crucial feature of everyday life. Bright colors and broad sweeping strokes blending into the outlines of the car helped him succeed. The paintings depicted effortless gliding and graceful movement. He combined the concept of speed and aerodynamics with the idea of artistic appeal in a single object.

ESTHER MAHLANGU - 1991 | BMW 525i

Esther wanted to link ancient art form with the looks of the modern BMW 525i car, and, through this painting, mastered the idea in a week's time. This 5 Series Art Car was the first African Art Car and Esther became the first woman international Art Car artist.

A.R. PENCK - 1991 | BMW Z1

For painter A.R. Penck, the BMW Z1 was already a work of art. He saw in the car, a reflection of the creativity and fantasy of the engineer and designer. The technical design of the Z1 inspired the artist. He set the modern appearance of the car in contrast with the sign language used in the pre-historic cave paintings. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. It depends on how the observer looks at these pretty straightforward symbols developed by a long process of thought. Decoding the secret message in the simple symbols is a challenge that lies in the eyes of the observer.

SANDRO CHIA - 1992 | BMW M3 GTR

Chia had just finished painting the 13th BMW Art Car and everyone in the society was looking for a way to own it. Everybody's eyes were on the car. Many of us look at cars very narrowly and this car, with a variety of faces, returns the stare. Chia was not new to car painting. He grew painting cars. As a child, he drew graffiti on cars.

DAVID HOCKNEY - 1995 | BMW 850 CSi

This BMW has the insides out. Yes, David Hockney wanted to paint the outside of the car in a way that you could be looking inside it. He took plenty of time to turn the idea into reality. Several months were spent in allowing the inside of the BMW 850 CSi to be outwardly visible. Stylized intake manifolds of the engine are visible on the hood, and the profile of the driver can be seen on the door. You don't just see the inside of the car, but also pieces of a conceptual landscape. Those days, car travel meant experiencing landscapes and the green color on the car represents that.

JENNY HOLZER - 1999 | BMW V12 LMR

Messages that will never lose their significance have very intelligently been rooted onto this racing car. One can see the magical light effect in the chrome letters made of reflecting metal foil outlined with phosphorescent colour. "Protect me from what I want" is seen against the setting of one of the most stunning races, with its battle for places and status. The artist's prayer for endurance adds a whole new meaning. "You are so complex you don't respond to danger," an annoyance referring to the world of racing that could not have been put in a better way. Jenny Holzer's V12 LMR takes the BMW Art Car idea back to its roots, the Le Mans.

OLAF ELIASSON - 2007 | BMW H2R

The car clearly exhibits sophisticated engineering and design. Eliasson's job was to change this rather complex image of the H2R race car into a work of art that very seriously and poetically reflected the relationship between global warming and the automotive industry. The hydrogen-powered car was developed to conquer speed records while chasing a sustainable future based on the use of regenerative fuel. Eliasson removed the car's outer shell and replaced it with a complex, translucent skin made of steel mesh, reflective steel panels, and many layers of ice giving the H2R the distinctive look.

ROBIN RHODE - 2009 | BMW Z4

The supernatural power of this BMW Art Car lies in its tyres. Robin Rhode and his team executed the rather unusual dream in 12 hours while Jake Scott transformed this dynamic act of creation into an equally fascinating film. On a canvas as big as a football field, bold, spinning shapes in crucial colours like red, yellow and blue were made. How was this splendid work of art made? As the eye discovers the tone of the lines, curves, circles and colored spots, something else comes to light. These forms have been created by tyre treads! The tracks left behind, combined the two-dimensional plane of the picture with the three-dimensional space of the actual driving experience. This indeed is a masterpiece that no soul can even think of.

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