From the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, design engineers have used the automobile body as a means through which they could express their artistic visions -- stylizing a car’s bonnet, bumper, and paintwork to capture every creative design detail. Rarely, however, does the body of the car become the canvas upon which the art, not design, becomes the primary focus of the artistic expression. Featured at this year’s Auto Expo will be the introduction of the RE60.
QUADRICYCLE SIGNATURE COLLECTION, Cive eye-popping, vibrantly painted Bajaj RE60 models. The showcased collection represents an association between Bajaj Auto Ltd. and the renowned Australian artist and sculptor, Christopher Hogan. The goal of the partnership was to create a visual celebration for the launch of Bajaj Auto’s new 216cc vehicle on the world stage at the Auto Expo opening February 6, 2014. Bajaj Auto Ltd., based in India, commissioned artist Christopher Hogan to conceptualise, design, and paint a series of Cive, unique vehicles.
Upon accepting the project, Hogan had a strong desire to showcase India by transforming the RE60 vehicle, India’s revolutionary Quadricycle, from a factory -- made automobile into a cultural statement of expression, incorporating recognizable symbols and designs native to the country. Hogan carefully researched which national icons would be the most impactful, visually and would best represent the overall cultural aesthetic. “Vibrant colour is such an integral ingredient in Indian way of life, that it was an important consideration in the selection of the Cive symbols: the Tiger, Lotus Flower, Mango Fruit, Peacock, and Banyan Tree in my Cinished creations.” details Hogan.
“I have designed and personally hand-painted each of the RE60 Art Quadricycles in my contemporary abstract macro style to represent symbolically Cive national icons that along with Bajaj Auto, represent the very fabric of the Indian culture.” explains Hogan. Each Quadricycle’s kaleidoscope of color and recognizable patterns will certainly evoke a sense of excitement, playfulness, and glee to even the most sceptical automobile-aCicionado. Of his unique, yet distinctively recognisable style of painting, Hogan joking comments, “I was driven to abstraction. There were enough artists painting ‘well-behaved’ landscapes and marine images without me adding to the list. Rather, I feel I contribute a contemporary slant through my depiction of these macro images.
In essence, I reduce simple images to a series of spots and stripes”. The resultant compositions are striking paintings and sculpture that invite multiple interpretations from the viewer.” Combining art, culture and technology into a visual package that is CHRISTOPHER HOGAN ART RE60.