Contemporary Istanbul, Türkiye’s premier international art fair, celebrates its 20th edition from 24–28 September 2025 at Tersane Istanbul, marking two decades of growth as a hub for collectors, artists, and cultural institutions. This year, the fair features a special highlight as part of the BMW Art Car World Tour: the very first BMW Art Car by Alexander Calder and the latest addition, #20 by Julie Mehretu, will be displayed together in Türkiye for the first time.
The BMW Art Car World Tour, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the iconic series, spans five continents and continues into 2026. Its Istanbul stop cements the city’s role as a global cultural center, presenting a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the breadth and diversity of the BMW Art Car Collection at the BMW Lounge in the partner section of the fair. A dedicated BMW Art Talk as part of the CIF Dialogues will feature Thomas Girst, Head of BMW Group Cultural Engagement, who will share insights and stories behind all 20 rolling sculptures.
From Calder to Mehretu: Fifty Years of Art Cars
The BMW Art Car series began in 1975 when French racing driver and art dealer Hervé Poulain invited Alexander Calder to paint a BMW 3.0 CSL, which went on to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Calder’s striking red, yellow, blue, and white design became an instant icon, fusing automotive performance with classical modernist art.
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Fast forward to 2024, and Julie Mehretu, the New York-based Ethiopian abstract painter, created the 20th BMW Art Car using a BMW M Hybrid V8. Drawing inspiration from her monumental painting Everywhen (2021–2023), Mehretu layered digitally altered photographs, neon-colored veils, and dynamic black markings to transform the vehicle into a three-dimensional, kinetic artwork. The car debuted at the Centre Pompidou in Paris and hit the track at Le Mans, merging high-speed racing with contemporary abstraction.
BMW Art Car World Tour Highlights
The tour has traveled to prestigious events worldwide, including Art Basel Hong Kong, Le Mans Classic, Belgium’s Zoute Grand Prix, the Shanghai Motor Show, and Italy’s Concorso d’Eleganza, showcasing all 20 BMW Art Cars. Beyond exhibitions, the initiative reflects BMW’s ongoing commitment to cultural engagement, spanning over a hundred projects in contemporary art, film, music, and design.
Contemporary Istanbul 2025 Highlights
Alongside the Art Cars, Contemporary Istanbul 2025 features a curated selection of galleries and institutional collaborations, including contributions from the UBS Digital Art Museum (Hamburg) and the Sigg Art Foundation (Le Castellet). This year’s Focus America section highlights the contemporary U.S. art scene, emphasizing New York’s influence and fostering dialogue between artists, curators, and collectors.
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The CIF Dialogues conference, themed “Dispersing Coordinates: Istanbul and the Shifting Map of Art”, will explore global cultural shifts with speakers such as Jennifer Stockman (Guggenheim Museum) and Anne Pasternak (Brooklyn Museum).
Contemporary Istanbul 2025 offers art enthusiasts a unique convergence of history, innovation, and international dialogue, celebrating both 20 years of the fair and 50 years of the BMW Art Car Collection.
