BMW Unveils i5 Flow NOSTOKANA: A Blend of Revolutionary Art and Tech at Frieze Los Angeles

At the Frieze Los Angeles art fair, the BMW Group unveiled a remarkable fusion of art and innovation through the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, a vehicle that epitomizes the harmony between groundbreaking technology and artistic expression.

This unique car, a collaboration with the esteemed South African artist Esther Mahlangu, features innovative color-change technology developed by BMW in partnership with E Ink. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA not only pays homage to Mahlangu’s iconic BMW Art Car from 1991 but also pushes the boundaries of vehicle design and aesthetics.

Esther Mahlangu, celebrated for her vibrant Ndebele paintings, brings her distinctive geometric patterns and vivid colors to the BMW i5, transforming the electric sedan into a dynamic work of art. The car’s ability to change colors electronically, thanks to millions of microcapsules in the E Ink film applied to its surface, reflects Mahlangu’s artistic vision in an ever-evolving display. This technology, likened to that of an e-book reader, can alter the appearance of the car with an electric voltage, enabling a constantly shifting palette of designs.

The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is not just a visual spectacle; it’s an auditory one as well. A special sound composition by Renzo Vitale, BMW Group’s Creative Director of Sound, accompanies the vehicle’s color transitions. This soundscape blends elements of Ndebele culture with the futuristic essence of the car, incorporating Mahlangu’s voice and the sound of the materials used in her art, creating an immersive experience that starts softly and intensifies with the animation’s progression.

Constructed with 1,349 individually controlled sections of film, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA’s intricate patterns and animations are a testament to the precision and innovation of BMW and E Ink’s technology. This project not only showcases the latest advancements in color-change technology but also signifies a step forward from the BMW iX Flow, which introduced the ability to switch between two colors, to a future where multiple colors and patterns can be displayed.

The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA stands as a tribute to Esther Mahlangu’s pioneering work and her contribution to art and culture. It continues BMW’s tradition of engaging with the global art community, bringing together technology, design, and art in a unique and compelling way. This vehicle is a contemporary reinterpretation of Mahlangu’s artistic language, bringing it into a new era and introducing it to a wider audience.

This collaboration highlights BMW’s ongoing commitment to cultural engagement and innovation, marking another milestone in the company’s history of merging automotive design with art. As the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA makes its world premiere at Frieze Los Angeles, it not only honors the past but also looks forward to the future of automotive design and artistic expression.

Source: BMW