The 2024 BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car by Julie Mehretu represents the 20th installment in BMW's storied Art Car series. This race car continues the tradition of merging automotive engineering with fine art and will debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a prestigious endurance race.
Key Details of the BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car:
Artistic Vision:
Artist: Julie Mehretu, renowned for her dynamic and abstract visual language, transformed the race car into a "performative painting." She drew inspiration from her monumental painting “Everywhen” (2021-2023), incorporating elements such as dot grids, neon-colored veils, and black markings.
Design Concept: Mehretu envisioned the car as passing through her painting, creating a remix effect where the car appears to "inhale" the artwork. The final design was achieved through 3D mapping and elaborate foiling to apply the artwork onto the car's contours.
Technical Specifications:
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 turbo engine with an electric motor.
Power: Approximately 640 hp.
Top Speed: Up to 345 km/h (215 mph), depending on track layout.
Dimensions: Length - 4,991 mm, Width - 1,994 mm, Height - around 1,200 mm, Weight - 1,030 kg.
Race Category: Competing in the Hypercars category at the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Historical Context:
BMW Art Car Collection: This project began in 1975, with artists such as Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, and Jeff Koons contributing to the series.
Previous Le Mans Competitor: The BMW M Hybrid V8 is the first BMW M Motorsport prototype to compete at Le Mans since the BMW V12 LMR, which won in 1999.
Upcoming Appearances:
Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este: Before its race at Le Mans, the BMW M Hybrid V8 Art Car will be displayed at this historic vehicle exhibition at Lake Como. Julie Mehretu will present the car alongside other iconic BMW Art Cars.
24 Hours of Le Mans: Scheduled to race on June 15-16, 2024, with drivers Sheldon van der Linde (RSA), Robin Frijns (NED), and René Rast (GER).
Post-Race Exhibit:
Museum Displays: After competing at Le Mans, the Art Car will be exhibited in museums and art platforms worldwide, continuing the tradition of bridging the gap between motorsport and contemporary art.
About Julie Mehretu:
Julie Mehretu, born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1970, is an acclaimed painter known for her explorations of social behavior and space. She resides in New York City and Berlin. Mehretu has received numerous accolades, including the MacArthur Award and the U.S. Department of State Medal of Arts Award. Her works have been displayed in major retrospectives and exhibitions worldwide, cementing her status as a significant contemporary artist.
This BMW Art Car, under Mehretu's artistic vision, encapsulates the fusion of high-performance engineering and cutting-edge contemporary art, making it a unique entry in the long-standing BMW Art Car series.