First Romanian live painting marathon inspired by BMW history a success.

Bucharest. One year ago, Romanian artist Adrian Mitu created “Blue Coffee”, a 30-day live painting marathon exploring BMW Motorsport history. He used a special watercolour technique involving coffee, resulting in 101 unique works of art. One year after this project, Adrian Mitu prepares for a second exhibition with BMW Group Romania that will be created in another session of live paintings, this time about legendary Jochen Neerpasch. 

Organized by BMW Group Romania and the BMW Auto Cobalcescu Bucharest dealer, “Blue Coffee” was implemented on occasion of the 100th anniversary of the BMW brand, with the support of Park Lake Mall Bucharest.  

„First, we had to define the main topics and then the individual themes. Selecting legends, stories and heroes is always a very emotional, personal process. Every day, Adrian received a list of stories, each represented by a selection of images. He had the full liberty to choose the ones that were the most appealing to him. Therefore, the end-result is an eclectic, individual expression of our dynamic history. I believe that this is what makes this exhibition so special”, stated Alex Şeremet, corporate communication manager of BMW Group Romania. 

The project has created a unique perspective on BMW Motorsport history. Next to focussing on defining aspects of the company’s racing product range, such as the BMW 328 Touring Coupé or the BMW 507, it highlights outstanding moments in the company’s racing history, one example being the finish of Dieter Quester in 3rd place with the car on its roof in the DTM Avus race in 1990. Other paintings showcase important BMW Motorsport personnel with Jochen Neerpasch, founder of BMW Motorsport GmbH, or Paul Rosche and Alexander von Falkenhausen, the main visionaries behind the relevant BMW engines, in the spotlight. “Blue Coffee” also presents special victories, such as the first Nürburgring 24h race won in 1970 by Hans-Joachim Stuck and Clemens Schickentanz with a BMW 2002 Ti. 

Brand customers, fans, students or simply passers-by were able to participate over the 30 days of live painting during guided tours. One of the highlights was the visit of legendary Romanian racing driver Marin Dumitrescu, 97 years old, just when a series of paintings about his life was being prepared. 

“For me, coffee is a symbol of energy that fits perfectly to the BMW Motorsport theme”, explains the artist. “It is a technique that defines me – not only in the final outcome, but also in my painting style. The warm coffee shades are in contrast with the cold watercolours and offer an excellent way to emphasize parts of the painting, to direct the attention of the viewer. The exhibition’s name is inspired by my technique and the most defining BMW colour - blue.” 

The series of paintings is currently on display in the permanent exhibition of the BMW Car Club of America in Spartanburg next to the BMW plant in the United States.

The success of the 101 paintings will now be the basis of another project in partnership with BMW Group Romania - an art installation dedicated to Jochen Neerpasch, the first BMW Motorsport director and the initiator of many projects in the '70s that have defined the BMW brand image – including the first BMW Art Cars. The project will start end of 2017 with new sessions of live paintings and will run until early next year.

For further questions please contact:

Alexandru Seremet

BMW Group Romania
Corporate Communication Manager
Telephone: +40 213 041 565
Mail: alexandru.seremet@bmwgroup.com

Dr Thomas Girst
BMW Group Corporate and Governmental Affairs
Cultural Engagement
Telephone: +49 89 382 247 53
Fax: +49 89 382 24418

www.press.bmwgroup.com  

E-Mail: presse@bmw.de

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With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

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