ART ON WHEELS: CARTIST GIVES AUTO EXPO A UNIQUE FLAVOUR

The recently concluded Auto Expo saw a record number of footfalls as car and bike lovers thronged to the biennial motor show. Like always, the new unveils including concept vehicles hogged a majority of the limelight but in one quiet corner, some beauties from the past also captured the attention of auto lovers. The Cartist pavilion displayed automobile artworks and sustainable furniture made from car junk, focusing on sustainable solutions to save our heritage and the planet. We list some noteworthy displays from Cartist at the show.

1. AMBASSADOR 

Inspired by the iconic Ambassador car that ruled the roads of India for more than five decades, the car was made completely out of Automobile scrap, which included bearings, clutch plates, steel wire, chain, transmission gear, engine piston, and other materials. In all, the car model sculpture was made out of more than 1,500 scrap auto parts to give the message of sustainability.  

2. CAR WIREFRAME 

This was inspired by British Sports cars with a trim of roadster with playful dynamics and a four cylinder engine. In that era, Americans loved lightweight sports cars and Cartist created this wired sculpture to replicate the grandeur of this automobile brand into creative artwork.

3. EV SCOOTER AS ARTWORK 

Four EV scooters designed on different themes were on display. One was draped in cloth by weavers as a tribute to weavers of India while another one was studded by jewellery of Jaipur. One depicted street foods of India, and the other gullies of our country by artist showcasing rich heritage and art of India streets.  

4. AUTO IN INDIGO 

The amazing Indian local road transport legend, the auto-rickshaw, fashioning the indigo colour was seen at the Expo. The humble mode has seen centuries of Indian culture in many different avatars while Indigo was once used as a medium of protest against British rule in India. 

5.SUSTAIN BY CARTIST 

Designer furniture curated by utilising old car parts and automotive waste captured everyone’s attention. Inspired by elements of nature, crafted by hand, the idea behind these is to create a sustainable auto-art ecosystem by leasing a second life to an old automobile. Cartist also showcased two iconic cars at the motor show that have been restored. The process of restoring a Cadillac 1954 Fleetwood and Ambassador Mark II 1969 for the last six months has been penned down and documented in a book, which will launched on 18 April 2023, on the World Heritage Day. The cover for this book, called “The Art of Restoration” was launched at the Auto Expo.  According to Cartist founder Himanshu Jangid, the book would be a guide for enthusiasts to pursue the hobby of restoring classic cars and to empower them with the knowledge of tools, processes and technical knowhow. It will cover planning, body panel, mechanicals, upholstery and paint finish topics to help the youngster understand the process of restoration. The book will also feature stories of cars restored by in the past along with automobile artworks of contemporary artists across India.  

The author is a senior editor at carandbike.com