“Not all artists are depressed,” is quite possibly be best tag line we’ve heard in a while. BMW’s latest Z4 campaign, Expression of Joy, has recently rolled out across several platforms, attempting to reach affluent customers of all of ages and interests.  BMW’s roadster has always been synonymous with intelligent design and has collaborated with select artists in the past to express this priority. Using GSD&M Idea City as their creative backbone, BMW has opted to jump into the driver seat this time around and let their product become the paintbrush, “While the original idea was to use the car to create artwork, over time, our thinking evolved from the final product to the process,” says David Matathia, VP and Idea Team Director at GSD&M Idea City. The results are both stunning and effective, as this vibrant spot translates seamlessly across all media platforms- be it print, tv, web, mobile or on premise entertainment.

In an effort to embrace the concept, Expression of Joy, we decided to explore a few other products that inspire controlled chaos and negative space.  This Corallo Bag, a current feature on MoMA’s retail website, is an elegant, non-ending doodle that’s a durable alternative to the plastic throwaway.  Moving in a more literal direction, Hudson-Powell‘s patterned rug mimics tire tracks in the snow. Emulating tracks of another sort, Walter Onion’s wool and linen bed spreads are a minimalist and high-end interpretation of this trend.  This painterly Hurley bikini looks as if the roadster rolled over it while creating its 240 yard masterpiece.

Additional Contributions by Emily Gup.