It’s always tempting to write “Wash Me” on a dirty car or to draw something on a fogged windscreen with your finger. Everyday situations like this were the inspiration for this publication, says Nico Ammann, art director and photographer of the works featured in the book to be published by MINI Switzerland in a limited edition of 2,000.
The upshot is a colourful volume depicting a wide range of subjects, and one that will appeal not only to MINI fans. The common thread is that none of the ten artists has ever before worked with the automobile as a medium, and each has transformed it into a transient work of art.
The following artists and authors contributed to the book project: Smash137, Fabian Bertschinger, Marisa Pichler and Gigi Burn, Tika, Euro, Aurèle Sack, Stefan Ege and Seak, August, Rémi Jaccard and, last but not least Dieter Meier, also famous as the singer in the band Yello.
Designer Alfredo Häberli provided two sketches and an article. The author and journalist Michèle Roten and Prof. Dr. Jacqueline Otten, director of the design department at Zurich University of the Arts, likewise made creative written contributions to the book, which will be out in early November.
Art always was, and remains, a key aspect of the MINI brand. MINI is, for example, the exclusive partner of the “Ludlow 38” exhibition space at the Goethe-Institut in New York, located in the heart of the thriving gallery district in the Lower East Side, near Chinatown and not far from the New Museum of Contemporary Art. Since its inauguration in 2008, this gallery space has presented contemporary artistic projects in collaboration with various cultural partners in Germany. Through its partnership with brands such as Bisazza and its involvement with FIAC 2007 or the International Talent Support / MINI International Photo Award in Trieste, MINI also remains true to its traditional involvement with unconventional cultural projects. Reason enough to welcome the launch of a vibrant photo book that is bound to delight MINI fans as well as design, art and photographic enthusiasts. For further information on the book please go to www.washme.ch.
MINI is celebrating a great birthday – and the party goes on. The 50th anniversary of the brand clearly leaves a powerful stamp on MINI’s appearance at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
At the MINI stand in the new Hall 11, the anniversary of the brand is the focal point in terms of both architecture and the presentation itself, MINI bridging the gap from the past into the present and from here on to the future of the brand. Visitors to the world’s No 1 car show this year will experience a journey through time beginning with the first appearance of the classic Mini back in 1959 and still far from coming to an end with the outstanding success of the current MINI model range. Because fascinating perspectives for the ongoing development of the brand still remain in the years and even decades to come.
Celebrating the world debut of the MINI Coupé Concept and the MINI Roadster Concept, MINI is presenting no less than two spectacular visions of driving pleasure in the sixth decade of the brand at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Both concepts offer a unique interpretation of the traditional values, the individual style and the innovative character of MINI, each in its own way. Both concept cars stand for concentrated driving pleasure in an extremely sporting Coupé, on the one hand, and in a Roadster both pure and elegant for extravagant open-air motoring, on the other.
Further highlights at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show being presented to the public at a car show for the first time are the anniversary MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden announced on the occasion of the MINI United Festival. These two likewise unique models also offer a perfect symbiosis of tradition and innovation in particularly attractive style.
The MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden will be built for a limited period of just one year, their exclusive status being clearly confirmed by special equipment and design features.
The broad range of new models is being rounded off by the world debut of the MINI One D, a new entry-level diesel consistently upgrading the MINI portfolio of particularly economical and efficient models.
What do the MINI and street art have in common? MINI has always been a defining feature of the streetscapes of major cities and itself constitutes a part of urban street culture. Exceptional design has traditionally been an aspiration of the brand – a passion shared by the champions of creative street art.
Last week in Hamburg, the legendary New York street artist Craig “KR” Costello customised a MINI in his own unique style. His trademark is the so-called KRINK dripping ink look, in which paint runs down an object as if it had been too thickly applied. The entire MINI was given the typical KRINK drip treatment by the creative artist from Brooklyn, with silver paint running down the distinctive contours of the black MINI – along its body as well as the side and rear windows. The project was accompanied by the “Erste Liebe Film” and captured by photographer Ali Salehi.
For further information on the project and an interview with the street artist, please go to http://www.minispace.com/.
About KRINK.
Craig “KR” Costello rose to fame in the 90s art scene with his signature dripping silver paint, which gave rise to the KRINK brand. Today his tags can be found in metropolises around the world – in building entrances, on walls, in underground stations, on street signs etc. As a youngster growing up in New York’s Queens district, KR already began developing graffiti paints. What started out as a personal experimentation with homemade materials swiftly evolved into a product range – initially strictly limited – of special silver paint in bottles, which he handed out to chosen friends. Out of this would grow a flourishing business which, under the name KRINK (from KR-INK), offers a wide range of special markers and inks which are a byword for top quality and enjoy true cult status.
The team at Broad Oak Ashford are not afraid to add a little bling to their forecourt! Their latest addition is a sparkly purple MINI which glitters in the sunlight as though it has been dipped in stardust!
How poetic, but really it is very cool. I think it goes with my eyes?
Why not pop along to Broad Oak Ashford in Orbital Park to admire their creation.
If you think your MINI deserves some recognition then why not send in your photos to them at amini@kentmini.co.uk and they’ll upload them to the site for all to admire!
You can follow my adventures on Twitter: Dexter-tweets
Finding innovative ways to use less while delivering more performance and fun has always been MINI's priority and is the philosophy behind MINIMALISM. As part of our commitment to this goal, we are excited to be starting official UK Research trials of the 100% electric MINI E prototype.
With lightning acceleration, a silent motor and a range of 156 miles* on a single charge in optimal conditions, it's 100% MINI but with 0% emissions.
Supported by funding from the Technology Strategy Board, a consortium led by BMW Group** will enable the MINI E to be tested on British roads where MINI E's performance, the psychological and social impact of electro-mobility and the development of the infrastructure required to support it, will be evaluated.
*Under ideal driving conditions. Vehicles were tested according to Californian Test Procedures for 2005 and subsequent Zero-Emission Vehicles, amended 19 December 2003.
** MINI E UK Research Consortium partners: BMW Group, Scottish and Southern Energy, South East England Development Agency, Oxford City Council, Oxford Brookes University.
