Frieze LA returns to the Santa Monica Airport this year with a full lineup of galleries, programming, and partnerships.
One of the most exciting lounges to check out is the BMW lounge, where the luxury brand is celebrating the world premiere of its new collaboration with South African artist Dr Esther Mahlangu.
For over 50 years, the BMW Group has been a support of arts and culture, engaging in hundreds of cultural collaboration worldwide, including inviting artists such as Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Jenny Holzer, and Dr Esther Manlangu to reimagine BMW vehicles as part of their canvases.
At this year’s Frieze LA, BMW is unveiling the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, a modern homage to the artist’s 1991 BMW Art Car. Esther Manlandu’s Ndebele-inspired designs on the BMW i5 converges in a visionary engagement and co-creation — pushing the boundaries of design, technology, and creativity.
The E Ink elements on the BMW i5 extend across the roof, bonnet, and rear, allowing for unique color changes via millions of microcapsules. With 1,349 individually controlled E Ink segments, the car showcases complex patterns and ever-changing dynamic movements, complemented by a specially composed sound.
But you won’t be seeing one on the road anytime soon. There are only two of these cars anywhere in the world. BMW Art Cars are valued in the 10s of millions, such as the car created by Andy Warhol which is worth about $60M. But the good news for car and art-lovers is that you can get a glimpse (and a selfie) with Esther Manlangus’ car now in Los Angeles through March 3rd.
The luxury automotive brand continued the party that night at the Hammer Museum, with an exclusive performance by Sudan Archives. Doors opened at 7:30 am, where guests were treated to a DJ set and were free to roam about the museum’s archives.
Westwood’s revered Hammer Museum, affiliated with UCLA, is free to all throughout the year — so be sure to check out its rotatic artistic-centric and progressive array of exhibits and public programs.
