I’m always excited to see what the world’s greatest living artists will do with a car as a canvas and this year Jeff Koons paints the 17th BMW ART CAR for the 2010 Lemans 24th hr. endurance race.
Artists painting on cars. A few have actually taken the time to understand the car, this brand and the environment of racing as part of the culture of the automobile (and selling it). Jeff Koons gets it. His appreciation is cleverly vinyl-wrapped around the body, colorfully accented with linear references to drag and atoms in motion at unnatural speeds. In previous years the BMW ART CARS have often looked more like corporate branding of the artist on a car ala Laura Ashley meets metal, than a statement on the design and function of 3500 lbs. of metal, speed and/or danger, much less technology.
Judy Chicago, one of my favorite artists, should be credited with starting the evolution of art and automobile as a conceptual canvas, when she painted her own design on a car hood in 1964. Lest the appreciation be lost on this current generation of art lovers, race car fans and corporate marketers, the symbolism of a “feminist/female” artist creating feminine iconography and images in the “face=hood=garage” of male-hood, and the second largest gathering of testosterone outside the locker room, this was a monumental statement in the day. No such thing as pixels and computers to digitally transfer the image into 3-D correctness, understanding the process of painting on an auto-body included the physical exertion and immersion in the process of sanding, priming, painting, baking, buffing and polishing. A true break-out artist in the day, she continues to deliver her message as no other. Fast forward to today.
Jeff Koons gets it. His appreciation of the machine is cleverly wrapped around the body accented with linear references to drag and atoms in motion at unnatural speeds. Would I love to see every body part and bolt painted one of these brilliant colors so the action becomes 3D as the parts spray apart upon impact… well, if I can’t have that as true performance art, I hope to see a “live action” video of this artwork careening down the roadway in a blinding blur of motion among the challengers. Unfortunately any bumps won’t paint transfer as the wrap leaves no mark on the competition, although a torn off remnant may be a collectible once framed.
I am thrilled to show you this clip posted recently on Youtube, proper credit given to both artist and company. I’d love a signed JK model M3 1:18 version for my “garage” (hint hint).
BTW BMW, might you could consider asking Judy Chicago to do the 18th version Art Car next year, upholding your truly cutting-edge, socio- image…
JEFF KOONS 17th BMW ART CAR
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Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at CAR DEALS
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