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Munich/Sweden. For the second year in a row, electric BMW cars dressed in the work of a Nordic artist can be seen around Stockholm. During this year's Market Art Fair, 17-19 May, the BMW cars dressed in Swedish artist Karin Westman's work will be used to drive guests to and from the fair. The idea for the initiative comes from the global project BMW Art Cars, where famous artists have been painting artworks on cars since 1975. The Market Art Fair and BMW are extending the collaboration for the third year in a row, continuing last year's mobile art success. For the second time, a Nordic artist has been selected and given the freedom to express their art on the BMW cars that will be used as shuttle cars during the days of the exhibition.
"Combining art and mobility has always been a passion for BMW. The collaboration with Market Art Fair gives us a unique opportunity to support young Nordic artists while emphasising our commitment to art and culture", says Johanna Kriisa, CEO of BMW Sweden.
The artist behind this year's winning entry "Wetland" is Karin Westman (GSA Gallery, SE), known for her sensual and abstract artwork inspired by the Baroque and revolving around a dramatic and rich colour palette.
Mobile artwork on the streets of Stockholm
During the Market Art Fair on 17-19 May, a fleet of colourful and fully electric BMW i5 and BMW i7 will be used to offer Market Art Fair guests a shuttle service to and from the fair. The mobile artworks signed by Karin's distinctive aesthetic will also be displayed outside Liljevalchs during the fair weekend.
"I believe that art can reach a wider audience through this kind of meeting. Industrial designers and artists work for different purposes, but both work creatively. There are things to learn from each other, but only time will tell exactly what and where it will lead", says Karin Westman.
Last year's winner was Swedish-ethnic artist Siiri Jüris (Galleri Duerr, SW), but the idea of having Nordic artists' work adorn BMW cars comes from the BMW Art Cars project, which has been running since 1975.
"BMW has a long history of global cultural engagement. To be able to collaborate with such a natural partner and together promote a young artist and bring the art into the city in the form of mobile artworks feels fantastic", says Petra Stenvall-Thompson Partnership Manager Market Art Fair.
The history of BMW Art Cars
For almost 50 years, BMW has allowed world-renowned artists to express their art using the car as a canvas. The idea of collaborating with prominent artists to transform cars into rolling works of art began when, in 1975, French racing driver Hevré Poulain came up with the idea of letting an artist, Alexander Calder, use the racing car as a canvas to paint a piece of art. No one could have predicted then that they were making modern art history and that the car would be the start of the BMW Art Cars project.
Many world-famous artists have followed in Calder's footsteps, including Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, David Hockney and Jeff Koons to name but a few. This spring, the twentieth artist, Julie Mehretu, will display her car at the 2024 Le Mans 24-hour race. Known for her abstract paintings, Julie is considered one of the most influential artists of her generation. The initiative with cars adorned with Nordic artists work is inspired by, but not part of, BMW Art Cars.
BMW Group PressClub Global
