The New BMW 7 Series Meets Art Enthusiasts at Contemporary Istanbul with A.A.Murakami’s “SYMBIOSIS” Installation

The new BMW 7 Series makes a striking appearance at the 21st edition of Contemporary Istanbul, sharing the spotlight with A.A.Murakami’s “SYMBIOSIS” installation at Tersane Istanbul. Following its debut at Art Basel, the installation by the Tokyo- and London-based artist duo Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves runs from a VIP Preview on 23 September through Public Days from 24 to 27 September. Represented in Türkiye by Borusan Otomotiv, BMW showcases the intersection of human-machine interaction and the Neue Klasse vision through this artistic collaboration.

Inspired by BMW’s Neue Klasse vision, A.A.Murakami’s “Ephemeral Tech” approach merges technology with physical and natural processes. The “SYMBIOSIS” installation draws its name from the biological concept of two distinct organisms living together, uniting sculptural engineered forms with transient physical elements like light, mist, and bubbles. Shaped by natural forces such as airflow, temperature, gravity, and chance, the artwork creates an ever-evolving experience.

The installation elevates the “BMW Symbiotic Drive” concept into an artistic dimension, reflecting how driver and vehicle act as a coordinated system where human intent and intelligent driver-assistance systems operate in unison. AI-supported systems anticipate and assist inputs for acceleration, braking, and steering. At the center of this display stands the new BMW 7 Series, integrating its monolithic design, interior, driving dynamics, and craftsmanship into the artwork.

Hakan Tiftik, CEO of Borusan Otomotiv, expressed excitement about bringing the installation to art enthusiasts at Contemporary Istanbul, highlighting the convergence of BMW Symbiotic Drive and A.A.Murakami’s artistic perspective.

As BMW’s luxury flagship, the updated seventh-generation BMW 7 Series pioneers the integration of Neue Klasse technologies. Its exterior features a monolithic design, an illuminated Iconic Glow kidney grille, and minimalist crystal headlights. Inside, features like the BMW Panoramic iDrive, BMW Passenger Display, and enhanced BMW Theatre Screen deliver an exclusive digital journey for occupants.

A.A.Murakami, renowned for multisensory installations exploring the connection between art and nature, pioneered the term “Ephemeral Tech” to describe art that utilizes ethereal materials like fog, plasma, and bubbles instead of traditional screens and projections. Their work is held in permanent collections including MOMA in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and M+ in Hong Kong.