Fast cars aren’t typically my thing…

Michael Wilson "Silver Ferrari #2" zatista.com

…but the presentation of the 2010 BMW Art Car earlier this month piqued my interest. Designed this year by well known American Neo-Pop artist Jeff Koons, the BMW Art Car has had seventeen incarnations since 1975.

Photo courtesy of BMW: Jeff Koons

Artists previously invited to design the BMW Art Car include: Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and David Hockney.

Photo courtesy of BMW: Rauschenberg Hood Detail

I like the unconventional idea of using cars as canvas and I’m always interested in the result of blending art and design. I enjoyed seeing these photos of the artists with their cars as well.

Photo courtesy of BMW: Alexander Calder

Photo courtesy of BMW: Andy Warhol

Photo courtesy of BMW: David Hockney

I realize now that the BMW commercial which caught my eye last year was born from BMW’s Art Car program. Here’s artist Robin Rhode’s Art Car concept featured in this cool BMW commercial.

Photo courtesy of BMW: Robin Rhode canvas

Some cars are so beautifully designed that they become works of art. If you’re an automotive fan, what cars do you think are works of art? If you’re a fan of art, who do you think should be the next artist invited to create a BMW Art Car?