When Artists Meet Automobiles: BMW Art Cars

Wednesday 02.09.2011 , Posted by Benjamin Starr

In 1975 Hervé Poulain, French racing driver and auctioneer, had a dream to combine his two loves: driving and art. He hit upon the solution when he asked his friend and well known artist Alexander Calder to paint his BMW 3.0 CSL with a custom scheme for the 1975 Le Mans. After the tremendous response to this rolling piece of art, BMW established their now frequently updated Art Car Collection.

With artists ranging from Jeff Koons to Andy Warhol, and with paint jobs done with paintbrushes to stickers, you will find a video below featuring all the BMW cars to date.

1975 3.0CSL by Alexander Calder

1976 3.0 CSL by Frank Stella

1977 320i Group 5 Race Version by Roy Lichtenstein

1979 M1 by Andy Warhol

1982 635 CSi by Ernst Fuchs

1986 635 CSi by Robert Rauschenberg

1989 M3 by Michael Jagamara Nelson

1989 M3 by Ken Done

1990 535i by Matazo Kayama

1990 730i by Cesar Manrique

1991 Z1 by A. R. Penck

1991 525i by Esther Mahlangu

1992 3 Series Racecar by Sandro Chia

1995 850 CSi by David Hockney

1999 V12 LMR by Jenny Holzer

2009 Z4 by Robin Rhode (left) and Jake Scott

2010 M3 GT2 by Jeff Koons

http://www.bmwdrives.com/artcars/bmw-artcars-koons.php

Source: petrolsmell.com, bmwdrives.com

Written by Benjamin Starr

Known in some circles as the most amazing man in the universe, he once saved an entire family of muskrats from a sinking, fire engulfed steamboat while recovering from two broken arms relating to a botched no-chute wingsuit landing in North Korea. When not impressing people with his humbling humility, he can be found freelance writing, finding shiny objects on the internet, enjoying the company of much-appreciated friends and living out his nomadic nature. He is Managing Editor of Visual News. Follow his movements on Twitter:

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