Jeff Koons
June 3rd, 2010 by NZ Classic Car
For the past 35 years, BMW has been recruiting famous artists from all over the world to use one of its vehicles as a mobile canvas for their art. Unveiled at a special event yesterday is BMW’s 17th Art Car that greeted the public in the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France.
Designed by American artist Jeff Koons, it is based on the same type of BMW M3 GT2 racer that took first place at this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hours. For its first outing it will compete with the unique livery at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans that runs from June 12 to 13.
Koons initially approached BMW about creating an art car back in 2003, but the project finally came to fruition earlier this year. Over the last four months Koons has worked closely with the BMW Motorsports squad on the application of the graphics to ensure they didn’t have any negative affect on the car’s aerodynamics.
Powering the M3 GT2 is a 4.0-litre V8 engine with a maximum output of 500 bhp while an upgraded chassis, racing-spec brakes, and extensive use of lightweight materials is also part of the racing package.
Many of the 16 previous art cars have also been raced at Le Mans including the very first one created by Alexander Calder in 1975 and the 1999 V12 LMR painted by Jenny Holzer. This year the #79 art car will be driven by Andy Priaulx, Dirk Müller and Dirk Werner.
April 7th, 2010 by NZ Classic Car
BMW has breathed new life into its old tradition of mixing motor racing and art with Jeff Koons’ new creation of the 17th Art Car.
Previewed in a teaser image before its official unveiling at the Centre Pompidou in Paris the latest art car is set to make its race debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. According to those ‘in the know’ the car has taken a simple, two-dimensional theme and delivered what Koons hopes is “powerful.”
Power is no doubt important for the 17th Art Car, as it’s set to be a race car. Andy Priaulx, Dirk Mueller, and Dirk Werner will drive the #79 art-liveried car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 35 years after the first Art Car, painted by Alexander Calder, took to the same track back in 1975. The car’s racing number is a tribute to Andy Warhol’s 1979 Art Car, that itself wore the number 76 to commemorate the 1976 Frank Stella car that also raced at Le Mans.
“It is fitting that Jeff Koons’ car will follow in the storied tradition of the renowned artists who created the early race-inspired BMW Art Cars,” said BMW North America president Jim O’Donnell. “We look forward to BMW’s return to Le Mans — and perhaps even sharing a toast with Jeff at the finish line.”
The 17th Art Car will make its debut on June 1 at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The 24 Hours of Le Mans runs June 12-13.
February 4th, 2010 by NZ Classic Car
Internationally acclaimed artist Jeff Koons has been announced as the next in a long line of artists who will create a BMW Art Car. Since 1975, artists from around the world have turned BMW cars into art, signifying a particular period. Koons will create the 17th BMW Art Car in what’s the 35th anniversary year of the program. The last art car installment was revealed by artist Olafur Eliasson back in 2007.
Koon’s relationship with BMW started more than two decades ago when he first drove a BMW during time spent living in Munich. However, it was in 2003 that Koons first expressed a desire to create a BMW Art Car.
Speaking from New York, Jeff Koons said “I always thought it would be an honor to work on a BMW Art Car, I look forward to participating in a tradition set forth by such great artists as Calder, Lichtenstein, Stella, and Warhol.”
As for the BMW Art Car Koons will work on, details of the model and design idea will be announced in the near future.
