BMW Art Car #18

Chinese artist Cao Fei is behind the latest BMW Art Car, an M6 GT3 immersed in a digital environment where video art and augmented reality merge together.

Following the contributions by Jeff Koons and John Baldessari, Cao Fei (b. 1978) is the youngest and first Chinese artist ever to create a BMW Art Car. Cao Fei’s implementation of video art as well as augmented reality creates an environment where the M6 GT3 Art car – which will race at the FIA GT World Cup in Macau in November 2017 – is an essential part.

Cao Fei, BMW Art Car
Cao Fei, BMW Art Car
Cao Fei, BMW Art Car
Cao Fei, BMW Art Car
Cao Fei, BMW Art Car
Cao Fei, BMW Art Car

  Cao Fei’s work is a reflection on the speed of change in China, on tradition and future. The body of work consists of three different components: a video focusing on a time traveling spiritual practitioner, augmented reality features picturing colorful light particles, accessible via a dedicated app (“BMW Art Car #18) and the BMW M6 GT3 racecar in its original carbon black.

Cao Fei, BMW Art Car #18, 2017

Paying tribute to the carbon fiber structure of the racecar chassis, Cao Fei’s holistic use of a non-reflective black incorporates the car into the possibilities of the digital world. In her video work, the practitioner executes spiritual movements, which echo in colorful streams of light. When the app is used within the premises of the car, these light swishes become an augmented reality installation floating above and around the BMW M6 GT3. 


BMW Art Car #18 
Artist: Cao Fei
Production: BMW
Year: 2017