The 20th BMW Art Car Unveiled
WHEN ART AND AUTOMOBILE CONVERGE
A Visionary Project
Today, the Centre Pompidou in Paris hosts an exceptional event: the unveiling of the 20th BMW Art Car, designed by contemporary New York artist Julie Mehretu. Transforming the BMW M Hybrid V8 into a performative work of art, Mehretu continues a tradition where art and competition meet. Shortly after this world premiere, the car will compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“The entire BMW Art Car project is about invention, imagination, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. My BMW Art Car was created in close collaboration with the motorsport and engineering teams,” explains Julie Mehretu. For her, this car is a “performative painting” that will only be complete after the race.
A Performative Painting
Beyond this automotive creation, BMW and Julie Mehretu are committed to a series of PanAfrican Translocal Media Workshops for filmmakers, with events planned for 2025 and 2026. This project will culminate in a major exhibition at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town, highlighting young African talents.
“BMW Art Cars are an essential part of our global cultural engagement,” says Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “Julie Mehretu’s vision for a race car is an extraordinarily strong contribution to our BMW Art Cars series.”
Julie Mehretu turned a flat picture into a lively 3D art piece by mixing altered photos with dot patterns, bright colors, and distinctive black marks.
A Tradition of Innovation
Julie Mehretu's BMW Art Car debuts at Concorso d'Eleganza before racing at Le Mans with BMW Motorsport drivers behind the wheel. The car, marked with number 20, blends art and vehicle design through 3D mapping. Following the race, workshops organized by Mehretu and Mandefro in African cities will foster collaboration among artists and filmmakers. The BMW Art Car Collection, starting in 1975 and featuring renowned artists like Alexander Calder and Andy Warhol, gains a new addition with the BMW M Hybrid V8. This hybrid racing car serves as both art piece and high-performance machine.
A Renowned Artist
Born in Addis Ababa in 1970, Julie Mehretu is a world-renowned painter, living between New York and Berlin. Her practice engages viewers in a visual articulation of contemporary experience, exploring the palimpsests of history and social phenomenology. Represented by Marian Goodman Gallery, her works have been exhibited in prestigious institutions worldwide.
Julie Mehretu's 20th BMW Art Car, a bold fusion of art and technology, marks a new milestone in the tradition of BMW Art Cars. By competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, it demonstrates that art and performance can coexist spectacularly, inspiring generations of future artists and innovators.
