Quinten de Kort

This painting is part of the triptych: The Motor of Munich. The triptych The Motor of Munich explores how the car and BMW shape the city. Three panels depict the core aspects of this “motor system”: production, movement, and use. Together, they show not only pride and progress, but also the downsides: hidden labor, urban segregation, and the ongoing transformation of Munich.

This panel shows how BMW proudly displays its products in iconic architecture, such as BMW Welt, where the car is elevated to a cultural symbol. At the same time, the work refers to the dark side of this production: the role of guest workers during World War II, who kept the industry running as a silent engine. In this way, the painting unites the progressive image that BMW portrays today with the uncomfortable past of labor and exploitation.