Andy Warhol's BMW M1 Art Car to debut at Art Dubai 2025 as part of 50th anniversary world tour
The Middle East will witness the unveiling of Andy Warhol's 1979 BMW M1 Art Car, valued at over $60 million, during Art Dubai from April 16-20, 2025. This event marks the global tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the BMW Art Car Collection, which commenced in 1975 with Alexander Calder's design for a Le Mans vehicle. Since then, over 20 editions have been produced, featuring artists such as John Baldessari and Jeff Koons. Warhol utilized six kilograms of paint in just 28 minutes to symbolize speed. The car participated in the 1979 Le Mans, securing sixth place overall. On April 17, BMW will organize a discussion at Art Dubai, showcasing their dedication to creativity and cultural dialogue.
Key facts
- Andy Warhol's 1979 BMW M1 Art Car will be shown at Art Dubai from April 16-20, 2025
- The car is estimated to be worth over $60 million
- This marks the first time the Warhol Art Car will be displayed in the Middle East
- The BMW Art Car Collection was launched in 1975 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary
- French racing driver Hervé Poulain conceptualized the first Art Car with sculptor Alexander Calder
- Warhol applied six kilograms of paint to the M1 in 28 minutes using broad brushstrokes
- The car placed sixth overall in the 1979 24-hour Le Mans race
- A world tour includes stops in Vienna, Hong Kong, The Hague, Istanbul, and Cape Town by 2026
Entities
Artists
- Andy Warhol
- Alexander Calder
- John Baldessari
- Jeff Koons
- Cao Fei
- Julie Mehretu
- Hans Ulrich Obrist
- Stephanie Rosenthal
- Azu Nwagbogu
Institutions
- BMW Group Middle East
- Art Dubai
- BMW Museum
- Museum of Applied Arts (Vienna)
- SPARK Art Fair
- Art Basel Hong Kong
- Louwman Museum
- Contemporary Istanbul
- Zeitz MOCAA
- Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
- African Artists' Foundation
- Leo Castelli gallery
Locations
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- Vienna
- Austria
- Hong Kong
- China
- The Hague
- Netherlands
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Cape Town
- South Africa
- Germany
- France
- Le Mans
- Abu Dhabi