BMW Art Car Series Turns 50 With Global Tour
BMW is marking the 50th anniversary of its BMW Art Car series with a global tour, set to visit 15 countries across five continents. The tour will kick off in Europe and Asia, with the first display in Vienna at the Museum of Applied Arts and the SPARK Art Fair. The latest addition to the collection, the BMW M Hybrid V8 by Julie Mehretu, will be showcased in Hong Kong at Art Basel from 28-30 March.
The BMW Art Car series began in 1975 with Alexander Calder's design for a BMW 3.0 CSL racing at Le Mans. Since then, 20 vehicles have been created by renowned artists, each representing different art movements. Notable contributors include Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, David Hockney, and Jeff Koons. The collection will be displayed in Austria at the Museum der Moderne Salzburg early next year.
The anniversary celebration will also include an exhibition at the BMW Museum, combining the 50th anniversary of the BMW Art Car series and the 3 Series, starting 16 June 2025. The tour schedule is still being finalized but includes stops in Belgium, China, Germany, Kazakhstan, Latin America, Morocco, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the USA, continuing through most of 2026.
The BMW Art Car series, now 50 years strong, continues to showcase the intersection of art and automotive design. With a world tour celebrating its anniversary, art enthusiasts and car lovers alike can appreciate the unique creations that have defined the collection over the decades.
