BMW has recently revealed its 12th art car, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, at the Frieze Art Fair in Los Angeles. This unique vehicle merges art and technology, showcasing the latest color-change technology developed by BMW in collaboration with E Ink, alongside the artistic vision of South African artist Esther Mahlangu.
The exterior of the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA features electronically animated sections of film, displaying Mahlangu’s vibrant colors and geometric patterns. Similar to an e-book screen, this technology utilizes millions of microcapsules in the E Ink film, allowing for dynamic changes in the car’s appearance with an electric charge. The result is a vehicle that embodies both automotive innovation and serves as a moving canvas for the artist.
Mahlangu, renowned for her Ndebele-inspired art, has once again made her mark on the BMW Art Car series. Her first collaboration with BMW was in 1991, with a BMW 525i recently showcased in a joint exhibition with the Iziko Museums of South Africa. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is named after Mahlangu’s first son and symbolizes a fusion of tradition and future, paying tribute to Mahlangu’s pioneering work and her distinction as the first woman and first African artist to design a BMW Art Car.
The unveiling of the vehicle at Frieze Los Angeles also highlights BMW’s ongoing dedication to global cultural engagement. With an exceptional sound design by Renzo Vitale, blending elements of Ndebele culture with BMW’s acoustic identity, the car becomes not only a visual spectacle but also an auditory experience.
Significantly, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA underscores the concept that a vehicle transcends mere transportation, becoming a form of self-expression and cultural representation.
