A Chameleon Electric BMW Art Car
This page is translated from the original post "Une BMW Art Car électrique caméléon" in French.
- 03/03/2024 10:25
BMW showcased a fusion of art and innovation at the Frieze Los Angeles Art Fair in the form of the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA.
This one-of-a-kind BMW combines BMW’s developed color-changing technology with the artistic language of South African artist Esther Mahlangu. Sections of film placed on the bodywork can be electronically animated thanks to E Ink.
In the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, named after Mahlangu’s first son, electronically animatable film sections are applied, with two strips on the roof, hood, and rear, as well as on the sides of the vehicle. Like an e-reader, each E Ink film contains several million microcapsules. The structure and arrangement of the colored particles they contain can be modified by applying an electrical voltage. This allows the generation of Mahlangu’s characteristic colors and patterns in constantly evolving compositions.
Three Decades Later
In 1991, Mahlangu designed the 12th BMW Art Car, based on a BMW 525i—becoming the first woman and the first African artist to do so. “Her art inspired me years ago, when the concept of color change on a car was just an idea in my mind”, explains Stella Clarke, research engineer in open innovations at BMW Group. “Now, being able to realize that idea and work with Esther Mahlangu is absolutely surreal.” The iconic colors and geometric motifs of the 88-year-old artist are perfect for bringing the innovative Flow technology to life in the BMW i5. The versatility of electrophoretic color changes makes this fully electric sedan a dynamic work of art. “I find it fascinating to see how modern technology can expand my art and make it accessible to a whole new audience”, Mahlangu states.
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