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BMW and A.A.Murakami bring symbiotic driving to life at Art Basel

At Art Basel in Basel 2026, BMW and the artist duo A.A.Murakami unveil 'Symbiosis', a new immersive installation that translates the German marque’s vision of the “Symbiotic Drive” from the Neue Klasse into an ephemeral, sensory experience.

Marking over two decades of BMW’s global partnership with Art Basel, the installation continues a long-standing dialogue between contemporary art and mobility innovation. This year’s collaboration with A.A.Murakami — the London- and Tokyo-based duo Azusa Murakami and Alexander Groves — explores the idea of symbiosis between engineered systems and natural forces.

 

Set to run from 15 to 21 June 2026, 'Symbiosis' stages a constantly shifting environment where technical structures generate fleeting phenomena: bubbles, light, and mist evolve unpredictably as they interact with air, gravity, and temperature. At its centre sits a sculptural presence inspired by BMW’s new design language from the Neue Klasse era, reflecting the brand’s increasing focus on seamless human-machine interaction. BMW describes its Symbiotic Drive philosophy as a fusion of driver intention and intelligent assistance, anticipating inputs to create a fluid, intuitive driving experience. In A.A.Murakami’s interpretation, that concept dissolves into a physical, poetic landscape where control gives way to emergence.

At Art Basel in Basel, the collaboration is presented alongside a wider programme of 290 galleries from 43 countries, positioning 'Symbiosis' within one of the most influential art gatherings worldwide.

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