How an Esteemed Artist Transformed a BMW Race Car into a Speeding Masterpiece
Imagine a high-speed symphony where art and engineering come together in a breathtaking ballet. Enter the BMW M Hybrid V8, one of BMW's two Hypercar entries at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, adorned by none other than contemporary artist Julie Mehretu. This fascinating marriage of disciplines was unveiled at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, followed by a glittering display at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at Lake Como. Mehretu, a relative newcomer to the world of motorsports, confessed that this artistic endeavor gave her a newfound appreciation for race cars and the people who worship them.
The Genesis of a Rolling Art Piece
Though she initially turned down BMW's offer, lockdown musings during the Covid pandemic nudged Mehretu to reconsider. Selected by an independent panel of museum directors in 2018, Mehretu felt the confinement of quarantine sparked her wish to explore themes of mobility and freedom through her art. Reflecting on that pivotal moment, she reveals, “I thought, just take this commission and open up a new door.” And open it she did, bringing her unique artistic vision to the racetrack.
Fascinated but unfamiliar with racing, Mehretu immersed herself in the culture. She loved the energy at the pit stop during the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona, where she saw the team’s meticulous choreography up close. “Going to Daytona was exhilarating—it was so much fun,” she shared, capturing the thrill of her new passion.
The Evolution of the Art Car
Set to race at Le Mans, Mehretu's Art Car is a dynamic piece, designed to transform with the rigors of the race. She anticipates that post-race wear and tear will add layers of meaning to the artwork. “The car will go through many transformations,” she said, pondering the impact of debris, exhaust, and overall grime. Would the artwork be left with battle scars or be meticulously cleaned? It remains to be seen.
Mehretu’s decision was swayed significantly by her car-loving nephew. His childhood fondness for toy cars and his plea, “please don’t say no,” inspired her to embrace this unique project. He even joined her in Europe for the car's debut, completing the circle of this family affair.
From Studio to Racetrack
In her studio, Mehretu relied on a scale model of the BMW M Hybrid V8 to envision her masterpiece. “I would just push the model around on a cart and it would go in front of different paintings at different times,” she explained, an almost childlike method that brought sophisticated results. Collaborating with her assistant, Jackie Furtado, they used digital sketches and vector files provided by BMW to conceptualize how the car could interact with her paintings.
The Racing Suits: Fashion Meets Function
Mehretu extended her artistic vision to the racing suits and helmets of BMW’s drivers—Sheldon van der Linde, Robin Frijns, and René Rast—who will sport custom designs at Le Mans. Working with Minnie, a former studio member turned independent fashion designer, Mehretu tailored each piece to reflect the racers' personalities. Conversations with the drivers via Zoom ensured that the helmets were as unique as the individuals themselves.
A Vision Unfulfilled but Inspiring
An intriguing, albeit unrealized idea was to have spare body parts painted in negative ghost-like images of the car. “If a part of the car had to be replaced, it would be replaced by its ghost, so the car would also shift and change shape through the race,” she envisioned. Unfortunately, race regulations at Le Mans prevented this innovative idea, reminding us all that in the race against time, winning comes first.
Ultimately, Julie Mehretu’s BMW Art Car is more than just a moving canvas; it is a testament to the unbounded spirit of art and its ability to transform whatever it touches, even something as fast and furious as a race car.