LA auto show debuts 'art car series' with virgil abloh, futura & more

Iconic Art Cars spotlighted at the 2024 la auto show

The LA Auto Show 2024 is celebrating the hybrid of art and automotive culture with the debut of the Art Car Series. This collaboration between CART Department and the legendary West Coast Customs showcases ten one-off vehicles reimagined by renowned artists and cultural icons, offering a fresh perspective on car design. The exhibition, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, runs through December 1st, 2024.

Among the standout vehicles in the series are Keith Haring’s iconic hand-painted 1983 Buick and Virgil Abloh’s visionary Project Geländewagen, a conceptual take on the Mercedes G-Class. Also on display is the deconstructed Maybach featured in Jay-Z and Kanye West’s ‘Otis’ music video, a symbol of creativity bridging music and design. Complementing these cultural artifacts are custom builds by West Coast Customs, including Don Toliver’s customized AMG Mercedes and Wil.i.am’s futuristic Tesla concept.

Virgil Abloh, G-Wagen 1:3 Scale, 2020 | images © CART Department

the art world and car culture intersect

CART Department, a newcomer to the automotive world, is making waves by exploring the intersection of art and car culture, especially at the LA Auto Show 2024. Through curated content, collaborations, and events like the Art Car Series, the platform highlights the creative potential of automobiles as a canvas. Partnering with industry leader West Coast Customs has amplified its mission, merging fresh ideas with craftsmanship to engage diverse audiences.

The Art Car Series builds on a rich tradition of collaborations between luxury cars and artists. BMW’s Art Car Project, initiated nearly fifty years ago, set the standard for artistic reinterpretation of vehicles with contributions from Alexander Calder, Jeff Koons, and Futura 2000. The Art Car Series continues this legacy, pushing the boundaries of automotive design and spotlighting its relevance across culture.

Keith Haring, ’63 Buick Special, 1986