The Coupe De Ville occupies a unique place in the American psyche. Introduced in 1949 by Cadillac, the car was among the most popular models sold between the 1950s and 1970s, sought after for its futuristic styling and lavish interior. It appeared on an Andy Warhol serigraph in the 1960s and featured prominently in The Godfather. Discontinued in 2005, the Coupe De Ville remains an enduring symbol of the mid-century American dream.
Yet for all the new iterations of the Coupe De Ville over the decades, none have been as jaw-dropping as the one born out of Kenny ScharfIt is wild imagination. In 2005, the artist converted a 1960 model into Astro Cumulo Uber Express And rolled out during Miami Basel 2006. Like a mobile party machine, the hot air balloon is adorned with cosmic doodles, pop culture references and playful characters – a celebration of good vibes and good humor.
Interior view of Kenny Scharf’s custom Cadillac. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com.
With an estimate of $400,000 to $600,000, the art car is expected to lead Modern and Contemporary Heritage Sale May 23. Originally commissioned by a collector familiar with Scharf’s “car bomb” works – cars emblazoned with his signature doodles – the Express is in mint condition, according to a spokesperson, with only 5,434 miles on the odometer. Scharf himself retouched it ahead of the auction, which also includes works by Wayne ThiebaudHugh Auchincloss Steers and Chilean artist Roberto Matta.
To make the dynamic vehicle, Scharf scoured thrift stores for pink plastic Easter Island heads and a green dinosaur as hood ornaments for the car, a tiara for its roof, and seashells and figurines to decorate. its interior. A working turntable and disco ball fill the trunk. Scharf has thus transformed a landmark of motorized design into a work of art, covering every inch of its trademark fantasy. He rejected cultural homogeneity in favor of personality and nonconformity, while respecting the original design of the Coupe De Ville, an iconic American automobile.
Kenny Scharf’s 2005 Coupe De Ville has been given a vibrant redesign. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com.
“This Cadillac has been in storage for 15 years,” said Taylor Curry, Heritage’s director of modern and contemporary art. “It is the first fully customized car to appear for public sale and arguably Kenny Scharf’s most important work to be offered at auction. Its bold design, vibrant colors and details are testament to Scharf’s unparalleled creativity and artistic vision.
From the start of his career, Scharf embraced playful maximalism, cartoon characters, and psychedelic images in his paintings, murals and sculptures. He was a key figure in the East Village art scene of the 1980s, alongside Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. His work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries around the world, including MoMA, the Whitney Museum and the Center Pompidou in Paris, and he has participated in group exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale.
Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com.
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