THE 8 X JEFF KOONS – the artist has designed his own dream car
In September 2021, just before the IAA Mobility in Munich started, Jeff Koons and BMW announced its second collaboration. Now the final design of their exclusive edition of the M850i xDrive Gran Coupé has been unveiled. Only 99 cars will be for sale. This collaboration is the result of several years of close partnership between BMW and the artist. THE 8 X JEFF KOONS has now been celebrated its world premiere at Frieze Los Angeles. Last year in October at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, hidden in a closed room, we already had the opportunity to have a look at the art car.
Jeff Koons describes his limited edition vehicle as sporty and flashy but also minimalist and conceptual, and has called it his dream car. He has also shared his idea of this being a global car symbolised by the blue colour of the logo representing the vastness of space. “What matters is how we relate to each other and our awareness of everything we are surrounded by”, he said.
Jeff Koons had previously collaborated on a BMW Art Car in 2010, which performed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, but this latest edition seems to exceed any previous collaboration. The vehicles reportedly required over 200 hours of work by specialists on the exterior paint job alone, which Chairman of BMW AG Oliver Zipse has described as unprecedented in the history of the company. The painting process is so time-consuming that only four cars are painted each week, with 11 different exterior colours ranging from blue to silver and yellow to black used.
Similarly, Koons’ artistic identity is unmistakable in the car’s interior, with its colourful look made with high end materials and fine leather. The artist also personally signed the lid of each cupholder. Given that Jeff Koons derives a lot of his inspiration from pop culture, it is no surprise that the red and blue seats reference the superhero colours – as well as the BWM M model. At the rear the lines of colour give homage to Koons’ 2010 BMW Art car, while the “POP!” on each side of the car and vapor thrust elements give us a sense of power and speed, according to Koons. Lastly, Koons chose the Bavarian blue – the color of the BMW logo – for his signature, accentuating again the subtle mix of design inspirations both drawn from BMW’s history and Jeff Koons distinct visual language. Oliver Zipse calls the Art Car a „rolling sculpture,” both to be admired by museum-goers and fellow drivers on the road.
THE 8 X JEFF KOONS BMW edition was initially decided in early 2020 and premiered in January 2022. After its first introduction to the global public in L.A, it will be on display in Manhattan’s Rockefeller Plaza, before hitting many art fairs in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. One vehicle signed by Koons himself will also be auctioned at Christie’s in New York City on April 4, after which all proceeds will go to the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children – an NGO Koons has been involved with for 20 years.
Jeff Koons is one of the 19 other artists, which have designed an Art Car in collaboration with BMW since the first in 1975, by Alexander Calder.
Pictures: BMW / Enes Kucevic for ellectric