From September 4 to 7, Frieze Seoul will host its third edition at COEX in Gangnam, marking a significant cultural event in Asia. As a long-time global partner of Frieze, BMW will celebrate this occasion with two major premieres.
The BMW Art Car #20, designed by American artist Julie Mehretu, will make its Asian debut following its unveiling in Paris earlier this year. Additionally, BMW will introduce a limited edition of BMW i7 miniatures created by artists Heemin Chung and Alvaro Barrington, reflecting the intersection of art, design, and technology.
Julie Mehretu’s BMW Art Car #20, the latest in the renowned BMW Art Car Collection, will be showcased for the first time outside Europe at Frieze Seoul. This collection, which began in 1975, features contributions from celebrated artists like Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons.
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Mehretu’s work, inspired by her monumental painting “Everywhen,” transforms two-dimensional imagery into a dynamic three-dimensional form on the car’s body. This Art Car continues the tradition of blending art with automotive design and will eventually become part of the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection in New York.
Beyond the car itself, BMW and Mehretu will collaborate on PanAfrican Translocal Media Workshops, set to tour African cities and culminate in an exhibition at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.
In addition to Mehretu’s Art Car, BMW will debut a limited edition BMW i7 miniature, designed by Heemin Chung and Alvaro Barrington. Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, these miniatures explore themes of human-centered design and the future of mobility.
Chung’s design draws on the early stages of electric motor development, aiming to make the car’s body appear as a living organism. Barrington, on the other hand, imagines future vehicles as multifunctional spaces that adapt to human needs, inspired by video games and cultural history. The miniatures, limited to seven units each, will be sold at Frieze Seoul, with proceeds donated to charity.
BMW’s involvement at Frieze Seoul extends to Frieze Music, where the company will once again partner with the event to present a live performance by Korean singer-songwriter SAAY on September 5.
This collaboration, part of a series that began at Frieze Los Angeles, highlights the fusion of music and art, offering unique opportunities for artists to explore their craft.
Through these initiatives, BMW continues to blend art, culture, and innovation, reinforcing its role as a key partner in the global art scene.
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