Westward Ho, Hummer Nation!

It’s just the thing to park in the driveway of the Ponderosa. But actually it’s parked on a London street, outside the Royal Academy of Arts, while the fifth Zoo Art Fair takes place. Even in the wild world of modern art, British-born Matthew Harrison seems to be something of a maverick, if this Hummer H3 fitted with real wooden wagon wheels is any indication. And no, you can't drive it.

This, um, sculpture takes an icon from America’s past and combines it with one from its present to make a statement. “The Good, the Bad and the Arty” perhaps? Or maybe that’s all up to the onlooker, because, for Harrison, the crux of this piece -- entitled (imaginatively) “Hummer” -- is “formed by both its ‘being’ and its afterlife,” he says. Yeah, right.

At least Hummer has taken it all in good spirits. “We were thrilled to be approached by Matthew and glad to be supporting his work,” says the company’s spokesman, Corin Richards. Incidentally, the H3 has 245 horsepower. 

Might this be the first in a series? What are the chances of “The Lone Range Rover” or the “Jeep Cherokee Nation”?

-- Colin Ryan

Photo: Zoo Art Fair/General Motors

Smart Cars get L.A. ink

Yep, it’s a Smart Fortwo with tattoos. This car has just been unveiled in Las Vegas by a Los Angeles company. The inking was created by French fashion designer Christian Audigier, the man behind the Ed Hardy brand. Called Project Tattoo, it has seven layers of exterior paint, piano black interior accents, leather seats with a hand-stitched tattoo theme, plus a full complement of high-end, high-wattage sound and navigation equipment.

Only 100 examples will be made, available in black or white, with each one numbered and signed by Audigier. The coupe model goes for $37,000 and the convertible version sells for $40,000. But any interested parties should move fast, Project Tattoo is almost sold out (click here for the website and contact details). And it would fit so well in Venice Beach.

-- Colin Ryan

Photo: Ed Hardy