In an era where technology and artistry increasingly intersect, BMW's latest masterpiece, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, stands as a testament to innovation and cultural homage. Revealed at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair, this unique vehicle encapsulates the future of customized automotive design through its groundbreaking color-change technology. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is named in honor of Esther Mahlangu's first son, showcasing her signature vivid colors and intricate geometric patterns. This collaboration not only celebrates the BMW brand's history but also continues its legacy of global cultural engagement by merging art, design, and progressive technology in an unprecedented manner.
Esther Mahlangu, the pioneering South African artist known for her Ndebele paintings, has been instrumental in bringing the vehicle to life. Her work, which initially graced the BMW Art Car in 1991, finds a new canvas on the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA. Employing E Ink technology, sections of the car's exterior can be electronically animated, allowing Mahlangu’s iconic patterns to evolve in a dynamic display. Each strip of film contains millions of microcapsules, capable of altering color through electric voltage, which enables the car to engage onlookers with its ever-changing design. This vehicle is not only a moving artwork but also a technological marvel, demonstrating the vast potential of e-technology in creating customizable aesthetic experiences.
The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is more than a car; it's an evolving piece of art that bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern-day technological advancements. With an extraordinary sound feature composed by Renzo Vitale that blends the BMW brand soundscape with the Ndebele culture, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA offers a multisensory experience. It's fitted with 1,349 individually controlled sections of film, showcasing the advanced adaptation of E Ink technology to curved surfaces, underscoring BMW’s commitment to innovation. This vehicle not only honors Esther Mahlangu's artistic legacy but also sets a new standard for the future of the automotive industry, where technology becomes an expression of personal and cultural identity.
📷: BMW
