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Yarrow Slaps’ Distorted Celebrity Portraits Take Center Stage in New Video Game-Inspired Show
Whaam! Gallery is gearing up to open SPORTS, a showcase of paintings by San Francisco-based artist Yarrow Slaps. In this body of work, Slaps pulls autobiographical memories and merges them with the figures of icons across various arenas of pop culture – sports, music, books and video games – forging an electric visual landscape that is both personally and collectively resonant.Inspired by the “create a player” mode in video games, the artist delves into the complexities of identity and selfhood, crafting characters who exist somewhere between the “mortal and divine." In this world, Slaps captures the likes of legends, such as Lisa Leslie, Nipsey Hussle and Allen Iverson, many of which are framed by a hand-painted character select screen equipped with cheeky player stats and their own arsen...
Mercedes-Benz Explores Innovation Through Art in ‘PROTOTYPE’ Exhibition
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled PROTOTYPE, an exhibition exploring the intersection of art and innovation at Studio Odeonsplatz in Munich from January 25 to March 22, 2025. Organized by the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection and curator Christopher Dake-Outhet, the exhibition showcases six international contemporary artists who challenge the concept of the prototype through both physical and digital mediums.Among the featured artists, Simon Denny blends blockchain technology with hybrid paintings inspired by Mercedes-Benz concept cars, while Salomé Chatriot integrates organic elements with digital renderings of her breath. Paul Seidler’s work examines alternative time systems and Sarah Friend merges digital security with automotive access through a Mercedes-Benz Smart Key. Meanwhile, Theo Triantafyll...
Ford Reveals Mustang Mach-E NASCAR Prototype
Ford has introduced the Mustang Mach-E NASCAR prototype, a fully electric race car that aims to push the limits of EV motorsport technology.Joining the ranks of Ford's high-performance demonstrators — including the SuperTruck, SuperVan 4.2, and Super Cobra Jet 1800 — this new concept blends NASCAR Cup Series engineering with cutting-edge EV performance. Key components borrowed from the current Cup Series car include its suspension, brakes, steering and wheels.Under the hood, the Mach-E demonstrator packs a three-motor setup powered by a 78 kWh battery, delivering instant torque and rapid acceleration. Its full carbon fiber tub further enhances structural rigidity and weight reduction, essential for high-speed competition.While Ford has yet to confirm if this prototype signals a shift towar...
BMW Reveals First-Ever M3 CS Touring
BMW has introduced the first-ever BMW M3 CS Touring, a limited-edition high-performance wagon that combines track-inspired engineering with everyday versatility. Debuting at the iconic Mount Panorama Circuit during the Bathurst 12-Hour race, this special model elevates the M3 Touring formula with increased power, aggressive weight-saving measures and exclusive design elements.Under the hood, the M3 CS Touring houses a 3L twin-turbo inline-six engine producing 550 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and M xDrive all-wheel drive, it sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph. Performance is further enhanced by a reinforced crankcase, forged lightweight crankshaft and model-specific chassis tuning.C...
Louis Vuitton Becomes Official Partner of Formula 1
Luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton has announced a historic 10-year partnership with Formula 1, becoming an Official Partner of the motorsport and the Title Partner of the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix 2025. This agreement marks a significant crossover between fashion and motorsports.As Formula 1 celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025, Louis Vuitton will have a prominent presence across key race destinations worldwide. This includes trackside branding, a first for the brand at a major sporting event, as well as its signature Trophy Trunks, which will be presented ahead of races and on the podium to celebrate race winners. The partnership reflects the growing convergence of fashion, culture, sports and entertainment.Louis Vuitton’s relationship with motorsports began with t...
BMW Reveals Updated 659 HP iX M70 xDrive
BMW has unveiled the updated iX M70 xDrive, the latest example in its all-electric "Sports Activity Vehicle" (SAV) lineup, boasting increased power and luxury. As the most performance-focused model in the iX range, the M70 xDrive delivers 659 hp and accelerates from 0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds.Equipped with BMW’s advanced eDrive technology and optimized power electronics, the iX M70 xDrive offers exceptional efficiency and driving dynamics. With a high-voltage battery providing 108.9 kWh of usable energy, it achieves a range of up to 373 miles on the WLTP cycle. The vehicle’s adaptive suspension, Integral Active Steering and M-specific tuning aim to provide a thrilling yet controlled driving experience.The iX M70 xDrive features a bold and aggressive design with the M Sport package and M Sport...
Chanel Showcases Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Immersive Exploration of Memory and Light
Bangkok, Thailand continues to be a region of focus for Chanel, particularly in the realm of experiential events. Following its well-received Summer Tour experience, the luxury fashion house has returned with an immersive art installation. The brand has partnered with celebrated Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul to present A Conversation with the Sun (VR) at the 7th Bangkok Experimental Film Festival (BEFF7). The event, held on January 24 at One Bangkok Forum, marked the Bangkok debut of the filmmaker’s first augmented and virtual reality performance.Blurring the lines between reality and dreams, Apichatpong’s immersive experience explores themes of light, memory and existential cycles. The installation is further enriched by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto’s evocative soundscapes and the...
Porsche Taycan GTS Sets Guinness World Record for Longest Ice Drift
Porsche has added another accolade to its record-breaking Taycan lineup, setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest continuous drift on ice by an electric vehicle. Behind the wheel of a Taycan GTS, Porsche Experience instructor Jens Richter completed 132 laps in a controlled oversteer, covering 17.503 kilometers in just 46 minutes at the Porsche Arctic Center in Levi, Finland.The record attempt, which took place on January 14, 2025, wasn’t without challenges. The intense stress of drifting rapidly deteriorated the 59-meter ice track, forcing an early halt during the first attempt after 11 kilometers. However, after switching to shorter spikes and leveraging the cooling temperatures at night, Richter successfully navigated the Taycan GTS through a seamless drift, smashing the previ...
Plato Gallery’s Latest Shows Rewrite the Rules of Female Portraiture
Plato Gallery in New York is currently presenting Heart Left in the Bag, a solo exhibition by Katya Muromtseva, and Here’s Looking at You, an all-women group exhibition, both on view until February 8, 2025. Grounded in ideas of identity, memory and self-representation, the two concurrent shows reimagine the personal and collective narratives of women from around the world, turning to art as a tool for reclamation while offering poignant meditations of power along the way.In the ground floor gallery, USSR-born artist Katya Muromtseva makes her New York solo debut with a series of lush watercolor portraits in Heart Left in the Bag. Taking the form of shadowy blooms, each work was created during interviews with female immigrants that now reside in the U.S., as each participant is asked: “When...
Pace and Galerie Judin to Open New Gallery in Berlin Gas Station
This spring, Berlin’s art scene is set to receive a unique addition with a new gallery space in Schöneberg, launched by Pace Gallery and Galerie Judin. Staged in a restored 1950s gas station, the space will become a new home to galleries, offices, a café and a bookshop run by the publishing group Die Zeit.Opening on May 1, the new space will kick off Gallery Weekend Berlin with a group exhibition jointly presented by the two galleries. The inaugural show will mark the beginning of a year-round rotation between the two galleries, with Pace hosting two shows annually and Galerie Judin helming three.Originally built in 1954 as part of the postwar reconstruction in West Berlin, the gas station had become abandoned in 1986 and remained so until it caught the attention of Galerie Judin founder J...
MINI Showcases Fully-Optioned John Cooper Works Car
The MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) takes its legendary go-kart driving dynamics to a new level, proving its capabilities in challenging winter conditions. With its signature agility and racing-inspired enhancements, the high-performance three-door MINI aims to deliver adrenaline-filled fun that can handle the snow and ice, enhanced by genuine JCW accessories.Powered by a 2.0L TwinPower Turbo engine delivering 231 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, the MINI JCW goes from 0 to 62 mph in 6.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. Its chassis technology, honed through racing expertise, aims to provide exceptional control and safety.For those looking to elevate the MINI JCW’s character, the brand offers a range of aerodynamic accessories in high-gloss Black and Chili Red. These include winglets for...
We Went to Japan To Learn Drift Fundamentals From Kota the Yoda
When it comes to mastering the art of drifting, there’s no better guide than someone who has lived and breathed the culture for years. Earlier this month, while in Japan for Tokyo Auto Salon, we had the privilege of joining Kota The Yoda in Chiba for an unforgettable morning dedicated to learning the fundamentals of drifting. With over seven years of self-taught experience under his belt and a reputation that extends beyond Japan, Kota proved to be an exceptional teacher and an inspiring figure in the world of JDM culture.A Passion Fueled by Fun and PerseveranceFor Kota, drifting isn’t just a skill or a sport — it’s a lifestyle. “I drift for fun,” he told us during a conversation. His enthusiasm is evident not just in his words but also in the way he handles his cars, including his Nissan ...
