DENMARK - Racing Cars – The Art Dimension at art museum ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum Denmark presents a large, artistic total installation on Formula 1 and Le Mans racing cars.  With this world premiere of the unique meeting between art and racing cars, ARoS will focus on the sculptural and aesthetic dimensions of the cars – dimensions which will be emphasized in the artistic presentation.

Renowned Danish visual artist Ingvar Cronhammar is responsible for the artistic installation of the full-blood racers in Racing Cars – The Art Dimension. This means that the museum's guests can expect a remarkable total experience at the exhibition, which covers all of 1,400 square meters of the museum's special exhibition space and foyer.  On exhibition October 13 – December 30, 2006.

Sculpture on wheels
The exhibition aims to give the audience an experience of the dynamics and strength latent in the form language of these cars.  By regarding racing cars not just as functional items, but also as pure form – as sculpture on wheels – the exhibition creates a symbiosis between two widely differing worlds: between the ultimate motor sport, and art.

The exhibition presents highlights of design history in the Formula 1 and Le Mans cars from 1932, and through almost three-quarters of a century.  The exhibited racing cars are not only unique in their design forms; they have also seen active service on racetracks the world over, with such legendary drivers as Stirling Moss, Ronni Petersson and Jackie Stewart behind the wheel.

Total installation
In a ground-breaking presentation, guests are introduced to a unique universe.  The walls have been painted black; the floor covered by reflecting steel plates; the gallery columns have become red, metallic pistons, and the lights have been turned into giant piston rings.  The racing cars are presented on steel podiums in an installation of light, sound and moving images.

On the black walls hang reliefs showing the contours of the world's Formula 1 racetracks, while the big screens in the exhibition rooms show sequences from races, relating the exhibition to the reality for which the cars were created.  The film sequences also give an impression of the power that is built into these cars.

Soundtrack
The many visual impressions are supported by an acoustic soundscape which lends an extra dimension to the exhibition’s varied and intense experiences.  The soundscape has been especially composed for the exhibition by composer and avant-garde musician Martin Hall.

Most of the participating Formula 1 and Le Mans cars have been kindly loaned to the exhibition from the world's largest collection of Grand Prix racing cars, Tom Wheatcroft's Donington Grand Prix Collection in Derby, England, through the intercession of the Danish racing driver and exhibition consultant, Thorkild Thyrring. Among the exhibited cars are: Ferrari, McLaren, Tyrell, Lotus, Panoz, Jaguar, Vanhall, Maserati, Jaguar, Audi and Alfa Romeo.

The exhibition Racing Cars – The Art Dimension is under protection of His Royal Highness Prince Joachim of Denmark.

Visit ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum Denmark at: www.aros.dk