As Jeremy Clarkson once put it - "Cars - They are so much more than just a ton and a half of wires, glass, metal, and rubber". Whether you’re into cars or not, I'm sure you’ll agree that there are some cars out there that are genuinely breathtaking and the way a car looks, both inside and out can be considered an art form in itself.

Furthering that narrative is celebrated New-York based sculptor and interdisciplinary artist Daniel Arsham. His collaborative efforts over the past two decades have led him to work with several world-renowned artists and brands including the likes of Pharrell, Adidas, Dior, and Porsche to name a few. But his scope of work goes beyond art and sculpture to other areas such as set design, fashion, interior design, and even films.

Now, combining his love for cars and the arts, Daniel Arsham is showcasing some truly stunning life-size cars at the Petersen Automotive Museum for the very first time with 'Arsham Auto Motive'.

“I’m excited to share my work with the city of Los Angeles and its vast community of car enthusiasts. Automotive design is in a constant state of evolution and this exhibition strives to reflect both its origins and future.”- Daniel Arsham

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What Makes The Arsham Exhibit Unique

Blue Calcite Eroded Porsche 911 By Daniel Arsham
Guillaume Ziccarelli
A studio shot of a Blue calcite eroded Porsche 911 by Daniel Arsham

Daniel Arsham is known for creating some truly mind-bending and visually stimulating masterpieces. His creations are an amalgamation of the past, present, and future. But what really sets his work apart is combining ingenious techniques with the use of some really unconventional materials such as selenite, quartz, pyrite, and volcanic ash which creates an unearthed effect.

Working with such materials has allowed him to create art forms that manipulate normal everyday objects and make you appreciate details that you would otherwise not notice. Photography, architecture, and being partially color-blind have played a big role in defining his fictional archeological monolithic aesthetic and style.

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What Can You Find At The Exhibition

The main purpose of this creative automotive installation is to provide an alternative lens to cars from prominent prestigious automakers like Porsche and Ferrari. The models presented at the exhibition are made from geological materials and represent a selection of vehicles that have been featured in notable Hollywood films, investigating ideas of history, and pop culture.

The Petersen Exhibition will feature four life-sized car sculptures. A 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster, an Eroded 1968 Ford Mustang GT Fastback, a 2018 Eroded Ferrari, and a 2022 Blue Calcite Eroded Porsche 911.

Aside from the cars themselves, you also have some posters on display at the exhibition. They include the Amethyst Eroded Porsche 911 Poster, the never-before-seen Selenite Eroded BMW Poster, and Ash and Pyrite Eroded Mustang Poster.

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Why You Should Visit

Bonsai 1955 Porsche 356
Guillaume Ziccarelli
A side-view studio shot of a Bonsai 1955 Porsche 356 by Daniel Arsham

What we see in today's cars and automotive design is a culmination of more than a century of evolution of the discipline. But this is an area that continues to evolve as we’re once again at a transitionary phase in time, with EVs, autonomous driving, and AI which will all be instrumental in shaping the future of the automobile.

But an exhibit like Daniel Arsham’s lets you appreciate the automobile in its most raw form. As someone who frequents local art galleries and has a knack for abstract art myself, what I will say is that pictures never really do justice to the exhibits on display and you can only really break down the finer details such as the texture in the carpets, the tread pattern of the tires or the traditional Porsche gauges and the center tachometer, only when you see them in person.

So if you happen to be in the L.A. area, you should definitely check out ‘Arsham Auto Motive’ which is currently on display in the Armand Hammer Foundation Gallery at the Petersen Automotive Museum.