Artist Alex Israel in his studio in Los Angeles. Photo: BDX MEDIA, Benjamin Diedering
BMW continues its longstanding partnership with Art Basel, returning as an official partner for the 21-year anniversary of Art Basel Miami Beach from December 8 to 10, 2023. On the occasion, BMW is collaborating with artist Alex Israel to present “REMEMBR”, an AI-powered participatory video installation that guides visitors on a journey through time and memory in a captivating fusion of art and technology. The new fully electric BMW i5 played a fundamental role in inspiring Israel for this project. As a global partner of Art Basel for 19 years at shows in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong and Paris, BMW will once again offer a VIP car service for attendees.
Alex Israel is a renowned contemporary artist based in Los Angeles, known for his innovative and thought-provoking work that often explores the intersection of popular culture, art, and technology. His body of work, which includes paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media installations, frequently draws inspiration from the vibrant culture and iconic imagery of his hometown. Israel’s unique artistic perspective allows him to capture the zeitgeist of modern life in a way that is both insightful and engaging, while exploring the boundaries of what art can be in the digital age.
“It was a true pleasure to meet with Alex in Munich and explore the BMW i5 together. His fascination with our latest innovation mirrors our shared commitment to blending the worlds of technology, design, and art to pursue something truly extraordinary. The BMW i5 is a vehicle that not only moves you physically but emotionally and imaginatively, much like Alex’s art,” said Domagoj Dukec, Head of BMW Design.
Israel worked closely with BMW to develop AI technology that will collect, filter, compose and choreograph the visitor’s phone’s camera content. In an immersive installation across seven custom-designed screens at Art Basel Miami Beach, guests will be invited to discover the hyper-memories of Alex Israel and, equally, share their own in real time.
“Working on ‘REMEMBR’ with BMW has been an incredible learning experience. The electric BMW i5 played a significant role in the conception of this project,” said Alex Israel. “I always say that my real studio is my car. I get most of my ideas while I’m driving around LA and my memories stream and fuse with my imagination to bear new ideas as the radio shuffles and the city passes me by. The BMW i5, with its AI technology and My Modes feature, resonated for me as a milestone in the evolution of human-machine relationships. The BMW i5 is a memory-making tool that encourages discovery, anticipates human need, and tailors experience to each individual driver. Similarly, our phones have also helped to close this gap, evolving from mere communication devices into digital diaries—extensions of our memories and external hard drives in our pockets. ‘REMEMBR’ asks: what if we could revisit and share all these memories in an engaging way? This project is a testament to the power of technology in shaping our memories and experiences, and I’m excited for visitors to explore it and themselves this December at Art Basel in Miami Beach,” continued Israel.
“As we’ve done for more than half a century, forging meaningful connections with world-renowned artists—and by extension art lovers everywhere—is a great way for BMW to reach new audiences while promoting the creative spirit that drives our brand forward and inspires us all,” said Marcus Casey, Chief Marketing Officer, BMW of North America. “We’re delighted to collaborate with Alex Israel on this project that seamlessly blends technology and design, much like the first-ever 100% electric BMW i5”.
“REMEMBR” reflects BMW’s commitment to innovation and design, which are key features of the new BMW i5. The latest BMW 5 Series is dynamic, digital, and now with the addition of the BMW i5, also fully electric. The BMW i5 embodies personal expression and represents the joy of moving forward with an empowering mindset. The BMW My Modes feature found inside the BMW i5 activates different sensory environments at the touch of a button, creating a human centric approach to the use of technology.
Experience “REMEMBR” and the 100% electric BMW i5:
December 8 – December 10, 2023
BMW Lounge at Art Basel Miami Beach Collectors Lounge
Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami FL 33139
