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When is a car so breath-takingly beautiful that it becomes art? Can a car actually be art? Despite its fabulous performance or rousing forms, doesn’t it remain primarily a utilitarian object to transport people or things from A to B? Or do some cars thrill us to such an extent that they conjure up goosebumps, nodding knees or watery eyes of emotion? Autoworld, which has always championed automotive design, seems to provide an answer to these questions with its exhibition ‘When Automotive Design Becomes Art,’ running from September 7th to December 15th. These are fascinating but difficult questions that may forever remain without straightforward answers. Is this weighty question relevant anyway? Des goûts et des couleurs, on ne discute pas, wants the cliché. Tastes and colours cannot be discussed. Nevertheless, we dare to take up the challenge by lining up a dozen icons that we think stir all the senses.
In order not to shoot at random, we also passed on our intriguing question to four specialists; Lowie Vermeersch, Louis De Fabribeckers, Pierre Leclercq and Steve Crijns are renowned Belgian car designers who would love to tell you which car they think is so beautiful, pure or uncompromising that it belongs in an art gallery rather than in a car park. Hopefully, these gems will caress your retinas with their disarming charm, unadulterated character and blood-curdling lines. Perhaps they stoke fiery discussions because you disagree with our selection, or because you think we grossly ignored some automotive masterpieces. Above all, let yourself go. Isn’t that exactly the real purpose of art?
'The proportions, the simplicity, the coherence between what it is and what it expresses, the sheer intuitive appeal of its full forms.... It is universal beauty. If the Valkyrie is a Picasso, then the 250 SWB is a Davide by Michelangelo.’
Lowie Vermeersch - Designer and creative director of Granstudio
Cars are first and foremost drawn. Whether it is the imagination of the designer, data in the wind tunnel or a team of engineers behind a computer, cars are shaped by people. Some designers can be considered absolute artists in this regard. Cars are created from scratch, sometimes with functionality as the main function, but sometimes with other purposes in mind. Pure, unadulterated speed, for instance. And when a masterful designer is given a free hand, human emotions are invariably touched.
'When you draw something as breathtakingly beautiful as the Lamborghini Miura, nobody ever throws it away. That's different from many modern cars, where people even talk about how to recycle them one day.'
Steve Crijns - Designer at Lotus and McLaren
Not infrequently, an enormous amount of time, attention and care is also put into the details. Where less is often just more. It is simply shaping beauty without overlooking functionality.
'The Audi TT evokes all kinds of emotion - as art should. The designers were directly inspired by the Bauhaus movement. It is especially special that everything about the car was specifically designed: from the roof to the wheels.'
Louis de Fabribeckers - Designer
Tour the most iconic and artistic cars that Autoworld has brought together. From the Bugatti Type 35 'Art Car,' the Cisitalia 202 from the MoMA in New York, and the elegant Lamborghini Miura, to the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing,' the Jaguar E-Type, the refined Citroën DS, and the Bauhaus-inspired Audi TT. These vehicles made their mark on the world of design and are presented at Autoworld as true works of art.
'The Citroën DS, despite its sophisticated look, is very simplistically drawn. Therein lies its true mastery. It is practical, spacious, highly aerodynamic ánd blessed with a ground-breaking interior.'
Pierre Leclercq - Designer at Zagato, Ghia, BMW, Kia and Citroën
Every effort will be made to display the exhibited cars in such a way that visitors can feast their eyes on every undulation and detail. The question of whether the car or a motorcycle can be art might be answered individually by each and every one by looking at the most expressive and diverse models. A must for every true car, motorcycle and art lover. Visitors can immerse themselves in what makes the automotive world so incredibly beautiful.
