BMW Celebrates 50 Years of Art Cars with Alvaro Barrington at Art Basel 2025

In June 2025, BMW will commemorate the 50th anniversary of its renowned Art Cars at Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland, by collaborating with acclaimed artist Alvaro Barrington. This significant event will showcase the brand's innovative hydrogen mobility through a unique artistic lens, as Barrington transforms the BMW iX5 Hydrogen fleet into a captivating mobile artwork. This collaboration marks a continuation of BMW's commitment to merging art with automotive technology, reinforcing its historical engagement with contemporary culture.

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen fleet will serve as the VIP car service during the fair, operating from June 19 to June 22, 2025. This initiative follows the successful debut of the fleet at last year's art fair, which featured the artwork of British artist Es Devlin. Barrington’s artwork, titled "Simply, 2025," will envelop the hydrogen vehicles in his distinctive visual style, reflecting themes of cultural reinvention and technological innovation.

According to Hans Ulrich Obrist, a former juror of the BMW Art Car program, Barrington was selected for this project due to his unique perspective on cultural production. The artist draws inspiration from influential figures such as David Hockney and Henri Matisse, integrating their legacies into the conversation about sustainability in automotive design. Barrington remarked, “Driving culture is one of the most important cultures in the world – billions of people participate in it. It’s really interesting to be a part of this conversation about sustainability and the future of cars that BMW and the rest of the world is having.”

BMW has long positioned itself at the intersection of art and innovation, serving as the Official Automotive Partner of Art Basel for over two decades. The collaboration with Barrington not only amplifies its commitment to hydrogen fuel-cell technology but also emphasizes the cultural narratives that accompany mobility. Michael Rath, Head of Hydrogen Vehicles at BMW Group, stated, “The collaboration with Alvaro Barrington amplifies our pioneering fuel-cell technology through the lens of art.”

The iX5 Hydrogen represents BMW's ongoing development in sustainable mobility, with plans to launch its first hydrogen-powered production model by 2028. This initiative aligns with the company's holistic approach to vehicle technology, as it seeks to complement its offerings in battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).

The unveiling of Barrington’s artwork at Art Basel provides an opportunity for BMW to highlight its innovative strides in hydrogen technology, while simultaneously contributing to the broader discourse on art and sustainability. The transformation of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen fleet into a moving canvas symbolizes a future where mobility is not only environmentally friendly but also deeply connected to cultural expression.

As the Art Basel event approaches, anticipation builds around how Barrington’s artistic vision will resonate with fair attendees and the global audience. This collaboration reaffirms BMW’s dedication to fostering artistic dialogue within the automotive sphere, ultimately enhancing the cultural significance of its pioneering technologies.