The BMW Art Car program is built on a minor contradiction. Since the program was launched in 1975 by French driver Hervé Poulain, the majority of the vehicles produced—each wearing one-of-one art from names like Andy Warhol, Jenny Holzer, Jeff Koons, and Cao Fei—have been race cars competing in high-stakes events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and GT World Cup races.
“The artist can do anything they want,” says Thomas Girst, an art historian who, since 2003, has been director of cultural engagement for BMW. “But they can't mess with aerodynamics or with the weight of the car.”
