Protestors Throw Flour at Andy Warhol's BMW M1 Art Car

Over the past few months, museums around the world have been struck by protesters attempting to raise awareness about climate change by throwing food at celebrated works of art. Legendary paintings like the Mona Lisa and Girl with a Pearl Earring were attacked but left undamaged by the attacks, which have continued consistently throughout the Summer. Now, a masterpiece of the automotive world has joined the list.

An Italian group called Ultima Generazione, which translates to "Last Generation," doused an Andy Warhol-painted BMW M1 in flour at Milan's Fabbrica del Vapore over the weekend. In a video shared on Instagram, the group can be seen running toward the car and emptying out flour packets. Then, a representative of the organization delivers a speech while being detained. According to a translation by ARTnews, the representative is a researcher who is hoping to draw attention to governments failing to uphold their pledges to reduce greenhouse gases.

The car itself, the fourth in BMW's famous Art Car series and arguably the most notable of the group, is a Group 4-spec M1 racer that was painted by American pop artist Andy Warhol. It was directly painted by Warhol himself, a contrast to previous art cars that were designed by artists but painted by others. In addition to its claim to fame as a work of art, the car finished second in its class in the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is unclear if the coating of flour has damaged the car at all.

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