This is the ultimate AI masterpiece.
BMW has unveiled its latest art car project to celebrate the 50th anniversary BMW Group Cultural Engagement. This latest version uses artificial intelligence to paint a trio BMW 8 Series Gran Coupes.
German Automaker’s art vehicle initiative started in 1975 with a 3.0 CSL racecar that would compete at that year’s 24 Hours of LeMans. This car was the first to open up future projects with top-caliber artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.
The latest virtual art installation is called “The Ultimate AI Masterpiece”. It uses artificial intelligence software for cross-referencing over 50,000 pieces of art that spans over 900 years. The software also performed a fast-tracked art historian degree and scanned 50 carefully selected contemporary pieces by artists BMW has collaborated with over the last 50 years. The software uses its new understanding of contemporary and classical art to generate bespoke ideas which are projected onto the three Bimmers.
Nathan Shipley, Goodby’s creative technologist, said that AI is an “emerging form of creative expression.” The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s combination of historical and curated works, as well as projecting the evolving images onto it, is a nod to BMW’s long history of combining art and technology.
The virtual installation makes the vehicle forms evolve as the software processes the preloaded data. Although it is not clear if the final exhibit will have the same characteristics as the first, it gives a good explanation of how the software works.
Artificial intelligence is an emotive topic in the automotive industry. Opinions aside. It’s difficult to disagree with the final product BMW created in collaboration with artists all over the globe. It almost bridges the gap between installation and performance art thanks to projection mapping.