Camille Blatrix to explore concept of desire for BMW Open Work 2019. Artwork inspired by BMW technology to premiere at Frieze London in October 2019

For the third consecutive year #bmw and Frieze continue their long-term partnership with the major art initiative #bmw Open Work by Frieze. Drawing inspiration from #bmw Design and engineering, the commission brings together art, technology and design in a pioneering multi-platform format. The artist chosen to create this year’s #bmw Open Work by Frieze is Paris-based #camilleblatrix.

The Concept
Curated by Attilia Fattori Franchini since its inception, #bmw Open Work gives artists the opportunity to push the boundaries of their artistic work, utilizing technology and design to pursue practice in innovate new directions. Succeeding Olivia Erlanger (2017) and Sam Lewitt (2018), the artistic intervention of #camilleblatrix for #bmw Open Work for Frieze, will also debut during the fair from October 2 – 6, 2019 in London.

For his commission, Blatrix has chosen to work with #bmw Individual, #bmw Group’s department specialized in car customization. Making use of #bmw Individual’s technical skills and craftmanship, the artist will explore perfection, investigating the seductive, fascinating pull exerted by technology and creating a dialogue about the sources of desire.

Blatrix said: “My practice is deeply rooted in a close dialogue with makers and suppliers, with ideas emerging intuitively from a direct technical conversation. Thanks to #bmw Individual, I can harness unparalleled technical knowledge, skills and facilities in a truly open-ended way. I’m excited to explore possibilities of production and consider limits of physical perfection working towards the commission at Frieze London.”

Fattori Franchini said: “At its third year, #bmw Open Work has developed into a unique encounter between industrial knowledge, technology, and artistic thought. Working with such a talented practitioner as #camilleblatrix is an exciting privilege. I can’t wait to see how his interest in the emotional possibilities of functional objects produces new and uncanny relationships through working with #bmw.”

Launched in 2017, #bmw Open Work invites an artist to develop a visionary project drawing on expertise from engineering, technology and #bmw design considering them as tools for innovation and artistic experimentation. For its first iteration, artist Olivia Erlanger integrated motion-sensitive sculpture, audio and immersive fog in her work “Body Electric”; while in 2018, Sam Lewitt engaged with #bmw intellectual property and engine production to reimagine the manufacturing cycle as an engine in “CORE (the Work)”.

Blatrix is now in the process of developing his commission for #bmw Open Work, which will premiere at Frieze London in October 2019. Following recent presentations at institutions in Europe, this will be the artist’s first major project to be shown in London.

For further information in the course of the project, please visit: https://frieze.com/bmw-open-work