Andy Warhol: Cars: Business Art

by Christian Gogger

In 1986, on the occasion of the 100th birthday of the automobile, the DaimlerChrysler corporation commissioned pop icon Andy Warhol to do a series about cars. Of the 80 planned pictures, which were to document the history of the automobile using 20 models from 1886 to the present, only 35 pictures and 12 large-format paintings were executed--the last series made by the artist, who died in 1987. This large-format book presents the work in total and, along with other commissioned work, further explores the many-faceted subject of "Business Art." Robert Longo's partnership with DaimlerChrysler yielded a series of black-and-white portraits of Mercedes-Benz models; Simone Westwinter created watercolors of the corporation's persons and products; Mathis Neidhart's ongoing project takes a dialectical approach to conveying the brand-name philosophy of the company through art-specific questions. Interviews with John Armleder, Jeff Koons, Robert Longo, and Sarah Morris serve to expand on the subject matter.

Genres: Art

152 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1988

Reviews

[Topaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book from a Guggenheim exhibit featuring many works about cars by Warhol. I think this is the only exhibit/book dedicated to cars. The book is filled with full color large photographs of the works. It's a very unique book for modern art and car enthusiasts alike. See photos of the book at Amazon

[Mark Bunch · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my prized possessions is a baseball cap Mercedes made of the commissioned art of Warhol created for the 100th anniversary of the company. Warhol was a commerical artist first. This book is great for the fan of Mercedes and/or Warhol.

[primokush · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the future, everyone will read digital books for 15 mins, but the memories will remain.