BMW to host various programs during Frieze London 2018

From October 5 to 7, 2018, Frieze London will open its doors in Regent’s Park for the 16th time, with preview days on October 3 and 4. The main section of the fair will be host to around 160 international galleries staging solo and group exhibitions of contemporary artists. As one of the fair’s long-term partners, BMW will welcome visitors to its new BMW Lounge space and flank the fair’s opening days with a diverse program. As in previous years, BMW will also provide the limousines of the VIP shuttle service transporting the fair’s VIP guests.

BMW Art Talk with Tim Marlow and Christian Marclay

To celebrate the opening of Frieze London 2018, BMW will host an art talk at the brand-new White City House. Tim Marlow will share his “60 minutes with Christian Marclay” with an interested crowd to gain rare insights into the artist’s way of working. Since 2014, Soho House and BMW i have been cooperating internationally in the creation of events and experiences focussing on contemporary art, innovation and design.

BMW Open Work by Sam Lewitt

When the fair will open its doors on October 3, the BMW Lounge will also open. Apart from a new location and updated design, the company is excited to showcase the second instalment of BMW Open Work by Frieze, a major artistic initiative bringing together art, design and technology in pioneering multi-platform formats. Curated by Attilia Fattori Franchini, US-based artist Sam Lewitt will unveil CORE (the “Work”), partly an installation focusing on motor engineering and technology, to conceptually and physically explore the production cycle of a BMW engine. Lewitt’s work is the result of a rich dialogue with BMW engineering and design experts. An avant-garde approach to motor engineering and research is also the focus of the new BMW 8 Series Coupe (combined fuel consumption 10,5 – 5,9 l/100 km*; combined CO2 emissions: 240 – 154 g/km*) on exclusive view in the other half of the lounge space. Via a fan, Lewitt creates a circulating dialogue between the two spaces, fostering an active exchange between the vehicle and the sculptural installation.

Apart from unfolding as an installation in the lounge, CORE (the “Work”) also comprises an online presence at closed_core.com and a soundscape in BMW’s Courtesy Car Service at the fair. The soundscape LEISURE (the “Work”) was created in close collaboration with composer Renzo Vitale who also works as an acoustic engineering specialist and sound designer for BMW. All visitors keen on delving deeper into Lewitt’s artistic process are invited back to the BMW Lounge on October 4 in the afternoon where he will speak with Fattori Franchini on BMW Open Work and his creation. The talk will be moderated by Thomas Girst, Head of BMW Group Cultural Engagement.

Launch of 5th BMW Art Guide

On occasion of Frieze London, BMW will also launch the 5th edition of the BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors on October 4 in the morning at the BMW Lounge. Christian Kaspar Schwarm from Independent Collectors will present the new edition and will discuss “Collecting & Beyond” with Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo and Alexander V. Petalas. The expanded new edition of the BMW Art Guide, a one of a kind guide to private collections accessible to the public worldwide, illustrates 270 collections in 45 countries and 196 cities – including some that are showcasing their collection for the very first time. It is also available as an eBook.

In addition to its commitment to Frieze, BMW has been an active partner of renowned international art fairs including Art Basel Hong Kong, Miami and Basel, Gallery Weekend Berlin and TEFAF Maastricht for over a decade. BMW Group also is a partner of internationally acclaimed museums including the Tate Modern in London and a supporter of young talents with initiatives such as BMW Art Journey or Preis der Nationalgalerie.

About BMW Group’s Cultural Commitment

For almost 50 years now, the BMW Group has initiated and engaged in over 100 cultural cooperations worldwide. The company places the main focus of its long-term commitment on contemporary and modern art, classical music and jazz as well as architecture and design. In 1972, three large-scale paintings were created by the artist Gerhard Richter specifically for the foyer of the BMW Group's Munich headquarters. Since then, artists such as Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Daniel Barenboim, Jonas Kaufmann and architect Zaha Hadid have co-operated with BMW. In 2016 and 2017, female artist Cao Fei from China and American John Baldessari created the next two vehicles for the BMW Art Car Collection. Besides co-initiatives, such as BMW Tate Live, the BMW Art Journey and the “Opera for All” concerts in Berlin, Munich and London, the company also partners with leading museums and art fairs as well as orchestras and opera houses around the world. The BMW Group takes absolute creative freedom in all its cultural activities – as this initiative is as essential for producing groundbreaking artistic work as it is for major innovations in a successful business.