BMW Group Middle East debuts BMW Art Car at annual Art Dubai fair

Dubai, UAE: Automotive performance, heritage and style seamlessly merged with creative endeavor and flair when one of BMW’s famous Art Cars had its Middle East premiere at Art Dubai from 20-23 March.

The stunning BMW M3 Group A Race Version Art Car is the 8^thedition in the long-running Art Car series of BMW and was created by Australian artist Ken Done. The breath-taking BMW M3 from 1989 celebrated its 30^thanniversary at the art fair and wowed art and car lovers alike. 

The car’s bright colors and powerful brush strokes are symbolic of modern Australia with its sunny beaches and semi-tropical landscapes. The bodywork is emblazoned with an abstract portrayal of parrots and parrot fish as Ken Done saw a strong affinity between them and the BMW M3. The result is as appealing as it is original: Done has succeeded in representing speed and beauty in his own unmistakably Australian style. 

Dr. Hamid Haqparwar, Managing Director BMW Group Middle East, said: “It was a great honor to celebrate the 30^thanniversary of Ken Done’s Art Car at this year’s Art Dubai. The BMW M3 Group A Race Version deeply impressed all visitors who appreciate classic vehicles as much as contemporary art. Therefore, we look forward to bringing more cars from the BMW Art Car Collection to the region as it is a wonderful collaboration between two worlds that share many important elements such as artistic expression, imagination and inventiveness.”

Prof. Dr. Thomas Girst, Global Head of Cultural Engagement at BMW Group gave a most interesting presentation on the history of the BMW Art Car Collection: “BMW has a long and proud tradition of collaborations and partnerships with some of the world’s most talented and renowned artists. And the BMW Art Car project is an example of how a wonderfully constructive dialogue has been created between two areas of work that encourage and thrive on creativity. With his personal interpretation of the BMW Art Car, the artist Ken Done successfully created one of the most stunning vehicles in the long-running series. The car was a great addition to this year’s Art Dubai and was well received by attendees who were intrigued to hear the fascinating story behind its creation and the artist’s motives and inspirations.” 

Commenting on their ongoing commitment to arts and culture, Ayhan Olcer, General Manager AGMC, said: “We were thrilled to be able to bring the BMW M3 Group A Race Version to Dubai as part of our partnership with the annual art event. Launched in 1975, the BMW Art Car project has featured influential figures such as Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Roy Lichtensteinand Jeff Koons. We as AGMC understand the responsibility we have as a business to help enrich the community we belong to. We live this commitment through our long-term partnership with Art Dubai. Art knows no language and helps us a lot developing social relations with our valued customers.”

But the BMW Art Car was not the only highlight BMW Group Middle East and AGMC presented at Art Dubai. The BMW area also hosted the all-new BMW X7 which is anew dimension in luxury and combines the presence, exclusivity and spaciousness of a luxury car with the versatile, agile driving properties of a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV). 

Pablo del Val, Artistic Director of Art Dubai, commented: “BMW’s engagement to contemporary art worldwide is second to none. The Art Car Project, with its 40+ years of collaborating with world-leading artists, is a prime example of the car company’s cultural commitment and this year added an exciting feature to Art Dubai.” 

The three-year partnership with Art Dubai, in collaboration with AGMC, the official BMW Group importer for Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, is one of the latest initiatives in BMW’s long-term arts and cultural engagement. For the past five decades, BMW has been partnering with hundreds of initiatives worldwide in the fields of jazz and classical music, modern and contemporary art, as well as architecture and design.