The 20th BMW Art Car, designed by internationally acclaimed New York artist Julie Mehretu, celebrated its world premiere on Tuesday evening at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The unveiling event, attended by several hundred guests, showcased Mehretu’s dynamic “performative painting” on the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8, which will compete in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 15-16, 2024.
Key figures from BMW, including Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, and Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Human Resources and Real Estate, were present at the event. Zipse highlighted the significance of the BMW Art Cars, stating, “The BMW Art Cars are an essential part of our global cultural commitment. Julie Mehretu’s vision for a racing car is an extraordinarily strong contribution to our BMW Art Cars series.”
Mehretu’s innovative approach transforms a two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional representation, using the motifs of her monumental painting “Everywhen” as the foundation. The artwork incorporates digitally altered photographs, dot grids, neon-colored veils, and Mehretu’s signature black markings. Mehretu explained, “The whole BMW Art Car project is about invention, about imagination, about pushing limits of what can be possible. I don’t think of this car as something you would exhibit. I am thinking of it as something that will race at Le Mans. It’s a performative painting.”
The artistic fusion of image and vehicle was realized with 3D mapping, transferring the motif to the vehicle’s contours. This elaborate foiling allows the fully designed BMW M Hybrid V8 to compete at Le Mans. BMW M Motorsport works drivers Sheldon van der Linde, Robin Frijns, and René Rast will pilot the 20th BMW Art Car, which bears the start number 20, at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Leading up to race day, the Art Car will make an appearance at the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este in Lake Como, Italy. Mehretu will present the car alongside historic BMW Art Cars by renowned artists such as Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, and Jeff Koons, all of which have competed at Le Mans.
The return to Le Mans marks BMW’s first top-class entry since their 1999 victory. Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, expressed his enthusiasm: “Our return to Le Mans is spectacular for several reasons. With more than 300,000 spectators, the 24 Hours of Le Mans also provides an overwhelming stage for the launch of the 20th BMW Art Car by Julie Mehretu.”
Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, emphasized the team’s readiness and ambition: “The deployment of the 20th BMW Art Car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is as much an honour for us as it is a motivation. Our goal is for the #20 BMW M Hybrid V8 to attract attention, not only with its great design, but also with its strong performance on the racetrack.”
Vincent Vosse, Team Principal of BMW M Team WRT, added, “It will be something very special to deploy this wonderful work of art at Le Mans. We will give everything to ensure that the 20th BMW Art Car finishes the race where it belongs.”
Driver Sheldon van der Linde, thrilled to participate, remarked, “I love the bold graffiti look that Julie Mehretu has gone for with our art car. If the car is as fast and bold as it looks, we’re in for a very good weekend.”
The 20th BMW Art Car’s journey to Le Mans promises to be a spectacular blend of art and racing, continuing the legacy of BMW’s iconic Art Car series.
