English
Beside the Pin-ups, products of mass consumption, comics, cans and Film stars, there is another icon which reins supreme in the pantheon of north-American pop culture, which became mythical during the era of pop art: the car. If you want to see how the car is refigured as an eternal spring of inspiration, then come to this exhibit in Vienna.
It all began back in 1986 when the Daimler Collection was about to celebrate its centennial, and commissioned a special project from Andy Warhol. His mission, should he accept it, was to create a series of 80 prints inspired by cars. His death 1987 meant he only completed 35 prints and 12 drawings, which are currently displayed in Albertina, the oldest arts centre in the Austrian capital.
You have until the 16th of May to contemplate the multiple Mercedes-Benz as imagined by Andy Warhol, and also the car as seen by other artists, such as Swiss artist Sylvie Fleury, and Americans Robert Longo and Vincent Szarek. It’s a singular opportunity to appreciate this mythic luxury car, and the history and design of its infinite variety of its models, from the Lightning Benz to the Gullwing and even the C 111.
There are screen-prints on paper, like the famous Marilyn Monroe images, running motors and decaying makeup pots in the video art of Sylvie Fleury, or the starkly refined black and white works of Vincent Szarek, proof that the Mercedes Benz has inspired more than one and will inspire you as well.
In fact, this exhibit has some of the most expensive art-works in the world, like the Andy Warhol painting, Green Car Crash (1963 see photo) , whose estimated value is 53 million euros -71.720.000$. Perhaps the only thing I don’t completely understand is why these artists are all obsessed with this German car brand and not others?
German artist Wolf Vostell is also famous for his admiration of automobiles. His best-known work is one called VOAEX (1976), an asphalt sculpture in the form of a car. And of course, any mention of cars in art must include reference to the Italian futurists, who elegized motors, cars, speed, machines and the urban expanse of the concrete jungle.
Within Pop Art, daily life becomes art, so this interest in the automobile shouldn’t be in the least disconcerting, though it may seem strange to you at first. At the very least, these artists have found the way to bring these technical jewels closer to the feminine realm. Take advantage of this chance to go to Vienna with your partner to visit this exhibit, which features works which have never before been displayed. To make your stay even more special, rent Apartments in Vienna, you won’t regret it.
