Petersen Automotive Museum Presents ‘Cars Are Beautiful’ Exhibit

French-born artist known as Mr. Brainwash brings his pop art style and playfulness to the Petersen Museum.

We have all seen art cars before. They are typically a standard car, like a BMW sedan, and they are painted by an artist to give them a one-of-a-kind look. But the Cars Are Beautiful exhibit currently being shown at the Petersen Automotive Museum blends the world of art and cars in a whole new way.

French-born, Los Angeles-based artist Thierry Guetta is known by the moniker Mr. Brainwash. He earned that name from his mind-bending style of art that incorporates graffiti, printmaking, stenciling, painting, and sculpture. His latest art installation celebrates the automobile and can be seen in the Armand Hammer Foundation Gallery until 2026.

We love cars. We love art. And were certainly love the Petersen Automotive Museum. So, we had to get a look at this Cars Are Beautiful exhibit for ourselves. And wow, what an amazing exhibit. As if you needed another reason to visit this incredible museum, you can’t miss this display. As Mr. Brainwash says, “put your worries in the rearview and immerse yourself in this extraordinary fusion of art and automobiles. Keep smiling. Life is beautiful.”

Car Tower

The Car Tower is made up of three iconic automobiles. The Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR and the Ferrari 250 GTO. The 911 at the base of the tower represents the artist himself and embodying his unique style.

Stacked above is a Mercedes-Benz, paying homage to famed Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and “symbolizing timeless artistry and passion.” Atop the tower is a Ferrari, representing the “pinnacle of aspiration and speed.” It is a stunning piece, but just the tip of the iceberg.

The ‘Thinkcar’

You are likely already familiar with the Thinker sculpture by Auguste Rodin. Well, this is Mr. Brainwash’s interpretation. There are several thinkers sitting on top of a large Rubik’s Cube design that is filled with tiny, colorful cars.

 

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Each thinker is also holding a couple cars in contemplation. Mr. Brainwash asks the question, “Is he weighing the car’s beauty, its history, the journey it represents, or reflecting on its purpose?”

So Much More

The Car Tower, and The Thinkcar alone would be worth making the trip, but the Cars Are Beautiful exhibit has so much more. There is The Garage which Mr. Brainwash sees as the birthplace of every car’s beautiful journey. Dream Car is a mash up of a Ferrari 250 GTO, Mercedes-Benz SLR, Porsche 911 and a Lamborghini Miura. Model Kit F-1 is a large version of a model Formula One car that is ready for assembly.

Brainwashed represents what was the first car most of us grew up playing with. It is a life-sized Fiat 500 Matchbox car. Sidecar is an oversized vintage wind-up toy. The list goes on and on. There is a dozen different objects to see, and that doesn’t include all of the wonderful car-themed paintings.

This installation will be up until 2026, so you have plenty of time to see it. But you know how time flies, so we would encourage you to plan your trip sooner than later. You don’t want to miss this.

Photos: Derin Richardson

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Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the ‘70s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.