BMW Art Cars Shown in Augmented Reality With Acute Art App
Photo: BMW
For over 45 years, a handful of artists have been expressing themselves on very unique canvases: BMW vehicles. The BMW Art Car collection is highly anticipated, displaying inspiring designs you wouldn’t typically see on modern vehicles. This year, these creative cars are heading to the Acute Art mobile app in an augmented reality showcase.
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“The BMW Art Cars are an essential part of the DNA of BMW’s 50-year-long cultural engagement. Finally, they are entering the digital realm and can be accessible everywhere and for everyone. I am excited about the collaboration with Acute Art as we both strive for innovation and cutting-edge technology,” said Pieter Nota, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands, and Sales.
The first-ever BMW Art Car was a BMW 3.0 CSL and was designed by Alexander Calder in 1975. The car would eventually be driven by Hervé Poulain at Le Mans, making a grand debut. That car and 10 others are currently available to be viewed in augmented reality via the Acute Art app. I downloaded the app for free on iOS (it’s also free in the Google Play store) and viewed the following artist-designed cars in my living room:
- Alexander Calder, 1975: BMW 3.0 CSL
- Frank Stella, 1976: BMW 3.0 CSL
- Robert Rauschenberg, 1986: BMW 635 CSi
- Michael Jagamara Nelson, 1989: BMW M3
- Ken Done, 1989: BMW M3
- César Manrique, 1990: BMW 730i
- Matazo Kayama, 1990: BMW 535i
- Esther Mahlangu, 1991: BMW 525i
- A.R. Penck, 1991: BMW Z1
- Jeff Koons, 2010: BMW M3 GT2
- John Baldessari, 2016: BMW M6 GTLM
More BMW Art Cars are going to be integrated into the Acute Art app every two weeks until all 19 models are available for AR viewing. To truly get the most out of the experience, I’d suggest placing the vehicles outside so you can do a proper walk-around and see all of the details.
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This partnership with BMW and Acute Art not only makes viewing these cars safer amid a global pandemic, but it also makes the vehicles more accessible to those who may not have had the chance to see them up close.
Ben never thought he’d be writing about cars for a living, but here he is, knowing more about the Kia Stinger than he’d care to admit. When he’s not devoting his time to researching engine specs and other oh-so-exciting car details, he can be found enjoying time with his wife and dogs. See more articles by Ben.