· ‘The Future is Born of Art’ Commission winner artist-duo Non-Linear and Cursorama to
create an immersive installation ‘Biolume’ responding to the theme of
‘Ecocentrism’.
· BMW Art Talk – ‘From Introspection to Impact: Artists Shaping the World’ with Shirazeh Houshiary, Bharti Kher and Pushpamala N.
Gurugram : BMW Group India is the presenting partner of the 16th edition of India
Art Fair, which will take place from 6 – 9 February 2025 at the NSIC Exhibition
Grounds in New Delhi. India Art Fair is the leading platform showcasing modern
and contemporary art from India and South Asia and convenes audiences to
explore a record 120 exhibitors, including 78 galleries, presented alongside
major regional and international art institutions. The fair welcomes 26 new exhibitors,
including seven new design studios. The expanded design section features eleven
eminent design studios from India and beyond. For its biggest edition yet,
India Art Fair continues in its mission to showcase the very best of South
Asian art alongside major contemporary international artists and collectible
design by pioneering studios, reinforcing its position as the leading site for
discovery of art and culture in the region.
Mr. Vikram Pawah, President and CEO, BMW Group
India, said, "BMW Group India is a steadfast champion of the arts and
cultural landscape across India. We take immense pride in our creative
collaboration with the India Art Fair, as it continues to champion India's
diverse and thriving contemporary arts landscape. Our shared vision for a
future that is both creative and sustainable is perfectly encapsulated by the
latest edition of 'The Future is Born of Art' Commission. This groundbreaking
initiative explores how the harmonious integration of ecological and
technological thinking can create a more sustainable, balanced, and
regenerative world - all through the captivating lens of an artist's vision. We
eagerly await the opportunity to welcome audiences from India and around the
globe at the fair, where they will experience the transformative power of art
and technology, united in the pursuit of a better tomorrow."
‘The Future
is Born of Art’ Commission
‘The Future is Born of Art’
Commission, led by BMW India and India Art Fair is an annual commission
designed to platform a promising young Indian artist on a global stage. Now in
its fourth edition, the 2025 Commission invited emerging artists to propose an
immersive installation centred around BMW iX1 LWB, MINI Countryman Electric and
BMW Motorrad CE 02 and BMW Motorrad CE 04, reflecting on the theme of
‘Ecocentrism’. ‘Ecocentrism’ puts forward a worldview in which ecological and
technological thinking coexist, imagining visions for a brighter, more
sustainable future.
As winners of the
prestigious ‘Future is Born of Art’ Commission, led by BMW and India Art
Fair, Non-Linear (Dennis Peter) and Cursorama (Yash
Chandak) join the ranks of India’s most promising artistic voices. The
annual commission challenges emerging artists to create large-scale
installations that explore topical themes built on shared values of BMW and
India Art Fair. Previous winners, Sashikanth Thavudoz (2024), Devika Sundar
(2023) and Faiza Hasan (2022), have set the stage with visionary works
exploring community, materiality and ecology.
Non-Linear and Cursorama’s winning project, Biolume,
is an ambitious 180-degree multimedia experience inspired by bioluminescent
organisms. With interactive screens that respond to audience movements, the
installation creates a feedback loop between human actions and their immersive
environment. The space is filled with original sound, ranging from serene
melodies to glitchy soundscapes.
The installation has three dynamic scenes:
The Surface: Hypnotic interplay of coastal waves
and glowing organisms
The Depths: Pulsating forms and evolving networks
mimicking underwater life
The Electric Abyss: A futuristic landscape merging
organic and mechanical forms
Biolume integrates generative design and biomimicry
to place audiences inside an abstracted, glowing oceanic world.
“Bioluminescence is nature’s sci-fi—a glowing, electric language that exists in
harmony with its surroundings,” Peter explains. The project underscores the
role of art as a tool for fostering ecological and social dialogue. “As
artists, we see it as our responsibility to reflect on how technology and art
can inspire change,” says the duo.
BMW Art Talk
On the theme of ‘From Introspection to
Impact: Artists Shaping the World’ will be held on 7 February 2025 at
the India Art Fair. This talk allows for a deeper introspection into the
practices of artists by renowned artists Shirazeh Houshiary, Bharti
Kher and Pushpamala N. with moderator Prof. Dr.
Thomas Girst, Head of Cultural Engagement, BMW Group. In a polarised
world, artists allow us to see beyond the surface level – to think more deeply
and be challenged, and to create spaces for kinship and solidarity across
borders and generations. In keeping track of how the world has evolved, artists
punctuate these moments with their art and bridge cultural ecosystems which is
the DNA of BMW’s role in art and culture.
About BMW
Group India Cultural Commitment
The BMW Group has initiated
and been engaged in hundreds of global cultural initiatives for over 50 years.
From music to film, from architecture to design, contemporary art has played an
essential role – via long-term institutional partnerships with major museums or
partnering with the leading art fairs around the world, such as Art Basel and
Frieze from Los Angeles, New York and Miami, to Seoul, Hong kong, Paris, and
London.
Since its inception, BMW
India has participated in leading cultural engagements across the country. In
2007, two BMW Art Cars embellished by world-renowned artists Andy Warhol and
Roy Lichtenstein were presented at the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai. BMW Art
Car by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Sandro Chia and Cesar Manrique have been exclusively
showcased at various editions of the India Art Fair.
Since its inception in
2012, BMW has partnered with Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the contemporary art
exhibition, which brings international artists to India and creates a global
platform for Indian artists. In 2012-13, the innovative BMW Guggenheim Lab came
to India. Based at Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum and conducted at six different
venues in Mumbai, the lab organised six weeks of free programmes with diverse
audiences and communities addressing the challenges and conditions of the urban
city.
The BMW Group's Cultural
Engagement, with exclusive updates and deeper insights into its global
initiatives can be followed on Instagram at @BMWGroupCulture.
About India
Art Fair
India Art Fair is the
leading platform to discover modern and contemporary art from South Asia. Since
its establishment in 2008, India Art Fair has provided a unique access point to
the region’s thriving cultural scene; drawing together galleries, artists,
private foundations, arts charities, artist collectives, national institutions,
cultural events, and festivals. Taking place annually in India’s capital, New
Delhi, the fair reflects India’s dynamic art community, while offering insights
into the creative landscapes of the wider region and enabling international
audiences to engage with the cultural history and development of the region.
The fair is committed to supporting arts education and professional development
opportunities, recognising the crucial need to support the development of the
local arts scene and provide dedicated exhibition space to emerging galleries
and arts organisations. In 2025, India Art Fair introduces an expanded
year-round programme of events, with a particular focus on developing
meaningful initiatives in collaboration with key local stakeholders to
complement existing programming and strengthen the market in the diverse span
of art hubs across India. India Art Fair is owned and operated by Angus
Montgomery Arts (AMA), a division of Angus Montgomery Ltd. indiaartfair.in
BMW Group
Cultural Engagement
Why Culture? Why not!
Culture is knowledge, a sanctuary of beauty and depth, of meaning and peace. An
inspiring escape. Tranquil at best, even unsettling sometimes. As corporate
citizen, the BMW Group takes social responsibility seriously, as part of which
it has been involved in hundreds of cultural initiatives worldwide for over
half a century, both in the arts, music & sound, architecture as well as in
design. As a long-term partner, creative freedom is key – and as essential for
groundbreaking works as it is for major innovations within a business
enterprise like ours.
Further information: www.bmwgroup.com/culture and www.bmwgroup.com/overview
Instagram: @BMWGroupCulture
If you have any queries,
please contact:
BMW Group India
Abhay Dange, Director,
Press and Corporate Affairs
Cell: +91 9910481013; Tel:
+ 91 124 4566600; Email: Abhay.Dange@bmw.in
Satchit Gayakwad, Press and
Corporate Affairs
Cell: +91 9560725900; Tel:
+ 91 124 4566906; Email: Satchit.Gayakwad@bmw.in
Internet: www.bmw.in
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bmwindia
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bmwindia
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