• by Tanya Gazdik , November 29, 2023

Artist Alex Israel and the electric BMW i5, inspiration for his AI video installation REMEMBR, to be unveiled at Art Basel in Miami Beach.

BMW and artist Alex Israel will unveil an AI-powered participatory video installation at Art Basel Miami Beach 2023.

The automaker is a longstanding partner of Art Basel and returns this year as an official parter for the 21-year anniversary of Art Basel Miami Beach from Dec. 8 to 10. 

As a global partner of Art Basel for 19 years at shows in Basel, Switzerland, Miami Beach, Hong Kong and Paris, BMW will once again offer a VIP car service for attendees.

Israel’s “REMEMBR” guides visitors on a journey through time and memory in a fusion of art and technology. The new electric BMW i5 played a fundamental role in inspiring Israel for this project. 

The artist 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 Israel and, equally, share their own in real time.

“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. 

Meanwhile, Fiat will auction three bespoke 500e electric cars during the event with  proceeds to benefit an environmentally focused nonprofit to be named following the auction. The three vehicles were designed by Armani, Bvlgari and Kartel. 

An online catalogue and access to absentee bidding ahead of the auction is available at de-PURY.com.

"It is rare for an automaker to combine efforts with the most iconic Italian brands of three different sectors, fashion design, furniture design and luxury, to create something truly unique that combines art with an earth-friendly message, [and] making the cars available through auction is even more unusual," said Olivier Francois, chief executive officer of Fiat and global chief marketing officer of Stellantis, in a release. 

Other sponsors of the Miami Beach event include global lead partner UBS as well as associate partner Louis Vuitton and  official partner Perrier.