Hybrid V8 BMW Art Car # 20 by Julie Mehretu at the 24h Le Mans 2024

Today marks a significant moment in the intersection of art and motorsport as BMW reveals its 20th Art Car at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. This latest addition, a BMW M Hybrid V8, has been transformed into a performative masterpiece by acclaimed contemporary artist Julie Mehretu. Known for her dynamic and abstract visual language, Mehretu has created a work that is not just to be admired in a gallery but is set to take on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, continuing BMW's tradition of blending high art with high-speed racing.

Julie Mehretu, a New York-based artist originally from Ethiopia, has always been fascinated by the concepts of space, movement, and energy. These themes are evident in her work on the BMW M Hybrid V8, where she has taken inspiration from her monumental painting “Everywhen.” For this project, she envisioned what it would be like if the car itself had passed through the painting, absorbing its colors, shapes, and energy. The result is a car that seems to pulsate with life, covered in layers of neon colors, grids, and the characteristic black markings that define Mehretu's style.

Unlike traditional art pieces, this car's true purpose will be fulfilled not in a museum but on the racetrack. As Mehretu puts it, “The BMW Art Car is only completed once the race is over.” This mindset reflects the performative nature of her work, where the car's journey through the 24 Hours of Le Mans becomes part of the artistic experience.

This collaboration goes beyond just the creation of the Art Car. Together with BMW, Mehretu is launching the PanAfrican Translocal Media Workshops, a series of workshops aimed at nurturing young artists across Africa. These workshops will be held in cities like Dakar, Marrakech, Kigali, Lagos, and Cape Town over the next two years. The goal is to provide a space for emerging artists and filmmakers to collaborate, innovate, and explore new creative pathways. The culmination of this project will be a major exhibition at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa in Cape Town in 2026.

The 20th BMW Art Car is not just a vehicle; it is a testament to the power of imagination and the endless possibilities that arise when art and technology converge. As it prepares to race at Le Mans, this masterpiece by Julie Mehretu stands as a symbol of creativity in motion, inspiring both on and off the track.

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