For over 40 years, BMW Group has had a strong focus on more than just automobiles—they’ve made long-term art commitments with over 100 impressive cultural corporations and partnered with artists like Zaha Hadid, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and Roy Lichtenstein to support contemporary art, music, architecture, and design.
In 2011, BMW founded a residency program for contemporary photography. Each year, BMW France provides space for emerging photographers to showcase their work, like it is doing this weekend at Paris Photo Los Angeles. On view at the fair’s Paramount Pictures location is an exhibition of photos by French duo Mazaccio & Drowilal entitled, “Wild Style.”
“The BMW artist-in-residence initiative has been supporting young photography for four years and strengthens the commitment as well as the tradition so essential to Paris Photo,” said Christoph Wiesner, Artistic Director of the fair. “The residence offers both the support for creation and its spread to the widest audience. This is a fantastic opportunity provided every year to talented young artists and photographers. The prize-winners can pursue their exploration in new fields. We are very pleased to exhibit the works created by Mazaccio & Drowilal during their residency.”
Over a decade ago, Elise Mazac (Mazaccio) and Robert Drowilal decided to join photo forces when they realized their commons interests in cinema, conceptual art, and American and Japanese photography. Their combined efforts tell more than just a story through images, as their stylistic approaches with collage, photomontage, and digital imagery provide depth and range. “Wild Style” is a collection of animal images displayed on various items likes mugs and shirts, providing a look at the missing link between reality and representation in today’s culture.
“We are thrilled to extend the BMW artist-in-residency at the musée Nicéphore Niépce by presenting our work to the American art lovers at the prestigious Paramount Studios, a mythic place, steeped in history and fiction,” said the artists in a statement.
“Wild Style” is on view at Paris Photo Los Angeles through May 3.
