Back in 1975 BMW had a brainwave – they decided to instigate a ground-breaking arts programme which involved inviting world-renowned artists to personalise their cars. 17 such vehicles now exist, and are known as the BMW ’Art Car Collection’.
For the next few weeks these vehicles will be on show in the disused multi-storey car park on Great Eastern Street in Shoreditch, as part of the ICA’s ‘Art Drive’ and the London 2012 Festival. If you don’t know the area all that well, this is the car park that has the American Carwash on the ground floor – you can’t miss it. At ICA’s ‘Art Drive’ you will find BMW Art Cars by luminaries such as Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Ernst Fuchs and most recently, in 2010, Jeff Koons’ creation (and a genuine race car) – the BMW Art Car M3 GT2.
I went along earlier today and have compiled a comprehensive collection of photographs featuring every vehicle that is currently on display. You don’t get the full effect from staring at a screen however – if you can find time to pop along I really would recommend it. This is one for the petrol-heads who are also lovers of fine art, which may well be quite a small subset of the population but it definitely includes me – some of these BMWs are absolutely stunning! The ICA’s ‘Art Drive’ closes on 4 August so motor along there as soon as you can – entry is entirely free of charge and you even get a glossy commemorative programme to mark your visit.
About Pete Stean
