New BMW 7 Series Stars in A.A.Murakami's SYMBIOSIS Installation at Contemporary Istanbul
BMW is showing its new 7 Series inside an A.A.Murakami art installation at the 21st Contemporary Istanbul, using the fair to give its Symbiotic Drive and Neue Klasse ideas an artistic frame.
- 21st
- 608 km
- 18.1 kWh/100 km
- 61st
What Happened
The new BMW 7 Series is being showcased alongside the "SYMBIOSIS" installation at the 21st edition of Contemporary Istanbul. The artwork was created by A.A.Murakami - the Tokyo- and London-based artist duo of Azusa Murakami (JP) and Alexander Groves (UK) - with inspiration drawn from BMW's Neue Klasse vision. After appearing at Art Basel, SYMBIOSIS arrives at Tersane Istanbul with a VIP Preview on 23 September and Public Days from 24 to 27 September. BMW is represented in Türkiye by Borusan Otomotiv.
VIP Preview of the SYMBIOSIS installation at Tersane Istanbul
Public Days of the 21st Contemporary Istanbul, where SYMBIOSIS is shown alongside the new BMW 7 Series
The installation takes its name from the biological concept describing two distinct organisms living together. Sculptural, engineered forms unite with transient physical elements such as light, mist, and bubbles, shaped by natural forces including airflow, temperature, gravity, and chance, producing an ever-evolving experience. A.A.Murakami's "Ephemeral Tech" approach merges technology with physical and natural processes and intersects with BMW's Neue Klasse vision of driving centered on interaction between human and machine. That same idea underpins BMW Symbiotic Drive, in which driver and vehicle are treated not as separate entities but as a coordinated system, and AI-supported systems anticipate and assist driver inputs including acceleration, braking, and steering.
“We are delighted to bring the SYMBIOSIS installation - uniting BMW's technology, design, and innovation with art - to art lovers at Contemporary Istanbul. The convergence of BMW Symbiotic Drive, which redefines the relationship between car and driver through the Neue Klasse vision, and A.A.Murakami's artistic perspective combining tech with physical and natural processes highlights BMW's future-oriented vision in a distinct experiential space. As Borusan Otomotiv, we are thrilled to share BMW's innovative mindset through art and design.”
- The car's monolithic design, interior, driving dynamics, and craftsmanship are integrated as intrinsic elements of the artwork
- Illuminated Iconic Glow kidney grille and minimalist crystal headlights
- Next-generation features including BMW Panoramic iDrive, the BMW Passenger Display, and the enhanced BMW Theatre Screen
- A comprehensive update midway through its seventh generation that pioneers the integration of Neue Klasse technologies into current models
Borusan Otomotiv's relationship with art is rooted in Borusan Holding's heritage and the creative commitment of the BMW brand. BMW has been one of the most prominent global supporters of culture for over 50 years, partnering with platforms such as the BMW Art Car Collection, Gallery Weekend Berlin, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, and Art Basel. In Türkiye, Borusan Otomotiv has a long-standing collaboration with Contemporary Istanbul, presenting curated showcases on the intersection of mobility, design, and creativity. Borusan Otomotiv also became a sponsor of the Pavilion of Türkiye at the 61st Venice Biennale.
608km
The source lists combined power consumption of 18.1 kWh/100 km (WLTP), 0 g/km combined CO2 emissions (WLTP), and CO2 class B for this 7 Series model.
Why this matters
The event shows how BMW combines product display with art sponsorship: the new 7 Series is put in front of art audiences in Türkiye through distributor Borusan Otomotiv, and the installation is used to give BMW's Symbiotic Drive and Neue Klasse ideas an artistic context. It also underlines Borusan Otomotiv's cultural investment in Türkiye, which the company has extended to the Pavilion of Türkiye at the 61st Venice Biennale.
Terms in This Story
- Neue Klasse
- BMW's name for its next-generation vehicle concept and technology vision.
- Ephemeral Tech
- A term coined by the artist duo A.A.Murakami for art that uses technology together with ethereal materials such as fog, plasma, and bubbles.
- WLTP
- Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure, the standardized test used to measure fuel or energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and electric range.
- Driver-assistance systems
- Electronic systems that support a driver with tasks such as accelerating, braking, and steering.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.