What is it that makes us happy? I know what you might reply on that: love is what makes us all happy! And it might very well be true, love might be the key to happiness. When love knocks our door, we suddenly feel fulfilled and complete, life has a meaning and it all makes sense.
We are constantly searching for love, but at the same time we search and crave for other things that can make our everyday lives better. Take art, for example: we all, no matter our specific tastes, find great pleasure in art. It doesn’t matter if it is a painting hanged on the wall in a museum such as the Louvre in Paris or if it is just a pop song that we sing while taking a shower. It’s irrelevant if the art work or art product that manages to give us peace of mind is something which some describe as “high art” or just something much simpler and down to earth. Art brings a smile on our faces and is a treat for the soul; in the end, that’s all that matters…
Lichtenstein’s BMW, Tel Aviv Museum
Except from art, there are plenty of other things that make our everyday life more interesting and pleasing. Sports, cars, clothes are all essential elements in our modern lives. Supporting your favorite soccer team gives a meaning in your otherwise sometimes boring Sunday afternoon. But taking a road trip in your car can also make your day; most people love their cars and the freedom its gives to them. And buying clothes, well, we all feel like showing off with our brand new clothes every once in a while… So, I’m thinking: what better way to enhance your pleasure than combining two or more of these elements that make life happier!?
Let’s just pick one combination: mixing the pleasure of art with our genuine love for powerful cars. Yes, it’s quite possible: just take a look at some of the BMW art cars! It all started back in 1975, when artist Alexander Calder painted the first BMW car and the BMW 3.0 CSL in particular, in what came to be a whole series of unique art cars. Overall, a number of 17 BMW cars have been recreated up until this moment in what it seems by now a tradition for BMW. Some highlights will include:
Andy Warhol’s BMW M1
Warhol BMW M1
BMW M1 racing version by Andy Warhol, 1979
We couldn’t but have started with the vision of the “Pope of Pop”, Andy Warhol. It was back in 1979 when one of the most discussed and inspirational artist of our era decided to transform BMW M1, pimping it up in his own unique and always colorful, playful style. Warhol himself painted the car! In other words, he did take his job quite seriously! He tried to depict speed in his own ways and the result seems to be really impressive and imaginative, just like his entire creative vision in general, after all… Even if, apparently, Warhol’s creation is not for sale, other BMWs are and some might be just the starting point for your own creation. What would you say about checking for the latest BMW car finance offers and then see what you can do about your future car yourself!? Good luck there!
Roy Lichtenstein’s BMW 320i
BMW 320i racing version by Roy Lichtenstein
Roy Lichtenstein signs BMW 320i, 1977
Two years earlier than Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein had tried himself to transpose his highly imaginative style in a BMW car. The result was typical of Lichtenstein’s own creative world: a pop art car that looked like coming from a video game. If Warhol was the “Pope of Pop”, then Lichtenstein must have been something like its Cardinal!
David Hockney’s BMW 850 CSI
BMW Art Car by David Hockney, 1995
David Hockney paints BMW 850 CSi
Critically acclaimed as one of Britain’s most influential artists of the 20th century, David Hockney requires no introduction. Only last year he was appointed as member of the Order of Merit for his lifelong contribution to the world of arts and culture and that surely makes him a distinguishable citizen of the British society! As for the BMW 850 CSI that he designed, it will surely make it to the “Hall of Fame” of the BMW art cars!
Jeff Koon’s BMW M3 GT2
BMW M3 GT2 Art Car designed by Jeff Koons, 2010
Jeff Koons signs BMW M3 GT2 Art
Last, but not least, we have Jeff Koons – the highly controversial Jeff Koons, whom you either like or not. Some tag his works of art as kitsch, but some others like to remind them that his works sell almost like any other produced by artists still alive. One thing is for sure, though: Jeff Koons and his ingenuity and creative vision could not be contested. He seems to be the last artist on the list kindly asked to transform a BMW car. The work Koons has done with the BMW M3 GT2 surely didn’t disappointed those who love explosions or splashes of living colors on objects or things! For the love of art, that’s amazing!
Missing wheels 