The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is a unique vehicle blending colour-changing technology with the distinctive artwork of South African artist Esther Mahlangu. This innovative design, featuring electronically animated sections of film, represents a cutting-edge advancement in vehicle surface technology, reminiscent of Mahlangu's iconic BMW Art Car from 1991.

Mahlangu, renowned for her Ndebele paintings, brings her signature colours and geometric patterns to life on the BMW i5, utilising electrophoretic colour changes to create dynamic compositions. Named after Mahlangu's first son, NOSTOKANA boasts electronically animated film sections across various parts of the vehicle, with each film section individually controlled to accurately recreate Mahlangu's intricate ornamentation.

Collaborating with Renzo Vitale, the BMW Group's Creative Director, Sound, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA also features a unique sound composition incorporating Mahlangu's voice and painting tools' sounds, merging BMW brand's soundscape with South African Ndebele culture.

Developed in partnership with E Ink, the vehicle showcases rapid advancements in colour-change technology, pushing boundaries with its multi-coloured implementation and increased robustness. However, despite these advancements, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA will remain a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, paying homage to Mahlangu's artistic legacy and reinterpreting her cultural language for the future.

Photos © BMW

Art meets innovation