UFO
Erwin Wurm, 2006–07
Mixed media (polyester resin, fiberglass, sheet metal, original Porsche roof) · approx. 95 × 542 × 279 cm
The Met Hotel Art Collection, Thessaloniki
Description:
In UFO, Erwin Wurm repurposes a Porsche 924 into a surreal “flying saucer” devoid of wheels, its polished, bulbous form hovering close to the ground. The vehicle’s sleek curves are exaggerated and distorted—its familiar automotive identity melted into something absurd and alien. Coated in vibrant resin and fiberglass, the sculpture gleams with a glossy, futuristic sheen that contradicts its grounded, deflated presence.
Wurm’s work engages his signature “Fat Cars” series, using humor and exaggeration to critique consumer culture, car fetishism, and modern status symbolism. By stripping the car of its wheels and distorting its form, he challenges traditional ideals of speed, power, and mobility. The result is equal parts parody and philosophical provocation: a familiar object turned into a hovering apparition—an automotive UFO that is functionless yet visually compelling.
Interpretive Highlights
Consumer satire: The work mocks the obsession with cars as social and economic markers, revealing their iconic shapes as ripe for deformation
Iconic distortion: The sculpture retains recognizable car features—windshield, roof, cabin—while transforming into an otherworldly form, encouraging viewers to question perception and form.
Playful philosophical reflection: Hovering without wheels, UFO evokes floaty whimsy but also destabilizes the idea of progress—what happens when speed loses its purpose?