New coffee table book features all 17 BMW Art Cars

Since 1975, BMW has regularly invited leading contemporary artists to transform iconic cars into unique works of art. Now, for the first time, fans can browse through all of the Art Cars in a single book.

Since 1975, BMW has regularly invited leading contemporary artists to transform iconic cars into unique works of art. Now, for the first time, fans can browse through all of the Art Cars in a single book.

This richly illustrated volume provides a complete panorama of this one-of-a-kind automobile collection. In addition to multiple photos of each of these works of art, the book includes commentary from the artists on their inspiration when decorating the cars.

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A total of 17 artists contributed to the collection: Alexander Calder (1975), Frank Stella (1976), Roy Lichtenstein (1977), Andy Warhol (1979), Ernst Fuchs (1982), Robert Rauschenberg (1986), Michael Jagamara Nelson (1989), Ken Done (1989), Matazo Kayama (1990), Cesar Manrique (1990), A.R Penck (1991), Esther Mahlangu (1991), Sandro Chia (1992), David Hockney (1995), Jenny Holzer (1999), Olafur Eliasson (2007) and Jeff Koons (2010).
The book also includes commentary from the co-founders of the collection: former BMW Motorsport director Jochen Neerpasch and former racing pilot Hervé Poulain, who is now vice president of the French art auction house Artcurial. Jeff Koons designed the book's cover, while Schmid+Widmaier Design created the cardboard slip cover.

Coinciding with the book's European release, an exhibit of BMW Art Cars is taking place from April 1-18 at the BMW George V dealership in Paris, where visitors can see the cars decorated by Alexander Calder, Franck Stella, Sandro Chia and Jeff Koons.

"BMW Art Cars" was edited by Thomas Girst and published by Hatje Cantz.