Good old fashioned 20th Century gas-guzzlers get a bad press from the Prius-brigade, but there was nothing to grumble about at this event – in fact Piston Head: Artists Engage the Automobile was a laudable example of recycling as well as an art exhibition. The re-imagined vehicle sculptures, all created since 1970, were curated by Venus Over Manhattan and Ferrari as part of Art Basel Miami Beach 2013, and reflected the enduring connection between the art world and cars.
Ron Arad’s Pressed Flower from 2013 features a Fiat (or should that be Flat?) 600 squashed to form a six-inch canvas. Another canvas-like piece, the transformed 1963 Buick now known as Untitled (Car), is instantly recognisable as the handiwork of Keith Haring, and Damien Hirst’s style is easy to spot in 2000’s Mini paintjob. Moving back into the sculptural lane, César’s 1995 Compression Voiture Venise needs a couple of dings knocking out, while Olivier Mosset and Jacob Kassay’s Ford Galaxy has arguably never looked better. As well a helping stage the event, Ferrari contributed possibly the most unusual exhibit; their F150 was the subject of Joshua Callaghan specially-commissioned 2D charcoal rubbing.
The Bruce High Quality Foundation
Art History with Passion 2013
Two Volkswagen Beetles video components
326 x 62 x 64 inches
Richard Phillips
Playboy Charger
2013
1972 Dodge Charger
206 1/2 x 80 x 53 inches
Damien Hirst
Untitled (Spot Mini)
2000
Automotive paint on Mini Cooper
52 3/4 x 70 x 120 inches
Joshua Callaghan
F150 2D
2013
Charcoal rubbing on un-stretched canvas
300 x 168 inches Edition of 2
Richard Phillips
Playboy Charger
2013
1972 Dodge Charger
206 1/2 x 80 x 53 inches
Dan Colen and Nate Lowman
Welfare Mothers Make Better Lovers
2008
White 1973 Jaguar, speakers, speaker wire,
woofers & sub-woofers, monitors, DVD players,
GPS monitors, amps, power converters,
stereos, Christmas tree.
dimensions variable
Tom Sachs
Untitled (1989 Chevy Caprice)
2007
1989 Chevrolet Caprice, mixed media
56 x 212 x 79 inches
Kenny Scharf
Ultima Suprema Deluxa 1984
1961 Cadillac, mixed media, acrylic,
spray-paint, found objects
68 x 78 x 22 inches
Richard Prince
Vanishing Point (The Artist Cut)
2012-13
2012 Dodge Challenger R/T
197 3/4 x 75 3/4 x 57 inches
Ron Arad
Pressed Flower (Baby You Can)
2013
Fiat 600, steel
83 x 150 x 40 inches
Dan Colen and Nate Lowman
Welfare Mothers Make Better Lovers
2008
White 1973 Jaguar, speakers, speaker wire,
woofers & sub-woofers, monitors, DVD players,
GPS monitors, amps, power converters,
stereos, Christmas tree.
dimensions variable
