BMW presents exhibition on electric AI with the i5 at Art Basel 2023

The exhibition is an extension of the virtual work “The Ultimate AI Masterpiece” featuring contemporary artists.

BMW presented an exhibition called “The Electric AI Canvas” at Art Basel this week. An extension of “The Ultimate AI Masterpiece”, it marks the first time virtual work has been transformed into a physical artistic experience. Presenting the BMW i5 as a dynamic canvas for generative art, the exhibition includes works by contemporary artists and runs until 18 June 2023.

In collaboration with Nathan Shipley of Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and Gary Yeh of ArtDrunk, BMW developed custom AI-generated animations using models trained on a curated dataset of works by contemporary artists. These AI models were built on a fundamental model trained with over 50,000 images spanning 900 years of art history. Artificial intelligence generates new abstract animations based on classic and contemporary art styles, which are then projected onto the BMW i5.

Gallery: BMW Art Cars at Art Basel 2023

“The Electric AI Canvas” uses Nvidia’s StyleGAN AI architecture, which is trained to evoke various art styles and generate abstract evolving animations. By changing different parameters of the algorithm, the AI ​​adapts to the works of specific artists, creating animations that capture the essence of their art. This exploration of the potential of artificial intelligence in making art is an ongoing conversation about its applications.

The animations are presented through projection mapping onto the BMW i5, incorporating each artist’s distinctive style and aesthetic. Mirrors enhance and reflect animations, providing an immersive experience for viewers.

Shipley and Yeh address the role of AI in art by focusing on its ability to support and amplify artists’ visions rather than replace them. Responsible and thoughtful experimentation with AI in art is essential, prioritizing a human-centered approach. According to BMW, this approach reinforces its commitment to human-centric technology and sustainability by exploring the potential of AI as a creative tool.

The BMW i5 recently debuted as part of the 2024 5 Series lineup and offers a range of up to 295 miles on a low-profile 84.3 kilowatt-hour battery. The BMW i5 eDrive40 delivers 335 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 120 mph. The more powerful M60 has 590 horsepower on tap and is good for 0-60 in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 143 mph.