Ferencz Olivier at the Mille Miglia 2013
For the end of my exhibition series with my painting series "Racing Sports Legends - Mille Miglia" I drove to Italy with my artworks last week. Here, this year´s Mille Miglia took place from 16th to 19th May 2013.
For the legendary road race from Brescia to Rome and back, in which traditionally only vehicles are allowed to take part that started in the classic Mille Miglia between 1927 and 1957, over 400 participants were registered – a new record for the traditional race. At its first holding on 26th March 1927, only 77 vehicles had started the race.
The day before the start, all participants and their vehicles were summoned to the trade fair halls in Brescia, the Brixia Expo, for the final technical inspection and the allocation of the bib numbers. In this hall, which is normally only accessible for drivers, co-pilots and the race organisers, I had the chance to present the two artworks from my series "Racing Sports Legends - Mille Miglia" next to hundreds of classical sports cars – a more fitting place for this exhibition is hardly imaginable.
At this race, not only the fascinating vintage cars enthralled the audience, but also the not less glamorous celebrities from the film business, fashion, sports and the economy among the drivers was an eye-catcher. On the starter list were names like Hans-Joachim Stuck, Jochen Mass (both racing sports legends themselves), David Coulthard (Ex Formula-1-driver), Herbert Grönemeyer (music producer, singer and actor), Daniel Day-Lewis (triple Oscar-winner), David Gandy (British Model Dolce & Gabbana), Gina Lollobrigida (actress) und Hannah Herzsprung (actress).
The champions of this year´s Mille Miglia were:
1st place - Team Tonconogy/Berisso in a Bugatti T40 from 1927
2nd place - Team Mozzi/Gessler in an Alfa Romeo 6C 1500 Gran Sport from 1933
3rd place - Team Moceri/Cavalleri in an Aston Martin Le Mans from 1933
Most fittingly, these brands can also be found in my painting series.
For me this event was a fantastic experience and I am especially happy about all the interest in and appreciation of my artworks received there. A successful finish for my exhibition series this year.
