BMW has announced a collaboration with artist Julie Mehretu to create the 20th BMW Art Car. The announcement was made at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. Mehretu, chosen by an international jury of museum directors and curators, will have total creative freedom to design the next addition to BMW’s collection of “rolling sculptures.” The BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car, designed by Mehretu, will be entered into the 24 Hour race of Le Mans in June 2024. This tradition, which has been ongoing for almost 50 years, has brought together racing and art, appealing to fans of both and those interested in design, technology, and mobility. Previously, artists such as Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, Jeff Koons, Cao Fei, and John Baldessari have created BMW Art Cars since 1975.
Julie Mehretu expressed her excitement about the project, stating that she has had a love for cars throughout her life and is thrilled to be working on the next BMW Art Car. She sees the opportunity to invent and explore new realms of transportation and motorsports through hybrid and fully electric vehicles.
Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, highlighted the importance of the BMW Art Car Collection as a central element of BMW’s cultural commitment. He expressed admiration for Julie Mehretu’s work and the cultural impact that the collaboration will have, particularly in Africa.
An artistic concept beyond the car: Translocal Media Workshop Series in 2025
The collaboration between BMW and Julie Mehretu extends beyond the Le Mans racetrack. Mehretu and Mehret Mandefro, co-founder of the Realness Institute, will host a series of workshops in eight African cities over nine months. The aim is to create a space for artists to meet, exchange ideas, and collaborate in translocal ways. The workshops will provide opportunities for artists to consider new pathways for civic futures in their local communities and harness the power of collective collaboration. The outcomes of the workshops will be presented alongside the 20th BMW Art Car at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town in 2025.
The artist: Julie Mehretu
Julie Mehretu, an internationally renowned artist, was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and currently runs a studio in New York. She has received numerous awards for her work and is known for her dynamic visual articulation of contemporary experience. Her paintings, prints, and drawings delve into the intersection of history, social behavior, and space. Mehretu’s work has been exhibited at prestigious museums around the world, including LACMA, the High Museum, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Walker Museum of Art. In 2021, she became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Design.
Statements of the jury: Unanimous selection
The international jury responsible for selecting Julie Mehretu for the 20th BMW Art Car unanimously chose her based on her exceptional reputation and expertise in the art world. Members of the jury include prominent figures such as directors and curators from major museums and galleries. They praised Mehretu’s ability to capture movement, dynamism, and space in her work, making her the perfect artist to create a BMW Art Car that merges speed, technology, and artistic vision.
The BMW M Hybrid V8
The canvas for the 20th BMW Art Car is the BMW M Hybrid V8. This competition car features a hybrid drive system with approximately 640 horsepower, combining a 4.0-liter V8 engine with an electric motor. The car can reach a maximum speed of up to 345 kph (215 mph) depending on the track layout. Weighing only 1,030 kilograms, the BMW M Hybrid V8 represents the epitome of M performance and the fascination with electrified drives. It competes in the GTP class of the North American IMSA endurance racing series and will also participate in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The BMW Art Car Collection
The BMW Art Car Collection started in 1975 when French racing driver Hervé Poulain asked his artist friend Alexander Calder to paint a BMW automobile. Since then, renowned artists from around the world, including Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons, have added their own touch to BMW Art Cars. The collection has been exhibited globally and resides at the BMW Museum in Munich. The collaboration with Julie Mehretu continues the tradition of combining art and racing, showcasing unique and visually striking designs on BMW vehicles.
