The ‘art car’ painted by artist Bose Krishnamachari to raise funds for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale is set to be auctioned. The online auction for the Tata Nano car titled ‘Maximum Nano’ will be complete at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
The 24-hour bidding hosted by auction house Saffronart at www.saffronart.com will begin on Monday. The bidding for the car will begin at Rs.100. The auction house has estimated that the ‘art car’ will fetch a price between Rs.10 lakh and Rs.16 lakh.
The hand-painted car, the first of its kind in India, has been included by Mr. Krishnamachari under his series of works ‘Stretched Bodies.’
“I used automotive paint. That will ensure the longevity of the work. We have got it laminated as well,” said Mr. Krishnamachari, in a communication from the Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation. The white car was handed over to the Biennale Foundation by actor Mohanlal, who also autographed the vehicle. The white car was transformed into a colourful art work by Malayali artist and foundation president Mr. Krishnamachari. The car was displayed at the biennale and a mall in the city after the first edition of the biennale concluded. Proceeds from the sale will go towards the Kochi-Muziris Biennale Foundation, which is said to be in debt after India’s pioneering art event which was held in Kochi for three months. The foundation said the ‘Maximum Nano’ would be the first art car to be auctioned in India. Artists such as Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, David Hockney, Frank Stella, and Ernst Fuchs have used cars for canvas before. Art cars have also been driven by the likes of John Lennon and Janis Joplin.
The ‘Maximum Nano’ will go under the hammer on the website along with a vintage memorabilia, a replica of a penny farthing bicycle, photographs signed by celebrities, rare books, and other collector’s items.
