The X-ray Mini was created in collaboration with one of the UK’s most exciting contemporary artists, Nick Veasey. Tiring with the limits of traditional photography, he imprinted himself on the international art scene using the unlikely medium of a radiography machine.After receiving a former Foxtons Mini at his specially built studio, he promptly set upon it with power tools. “The process begins by cutting the car into manageable sections but BMW makes the Mini in an incredibly complex way,” Veasey explains.
“It took two weeks to angle grind just one side; on the classic Mini, the job was done in three days. The old cars were much simpler in their construction.” While he nostalgically refers to the classic Mini as “one lovely piece of design”, the X-ray process illuminates the second generation’s ergonomic curves and high-spec technology.
The arresting new artwork encompasses the entire car, stretching seamlessly across every surface to complete the mesmeric optical illusion. Achieving this stunning transparent finish took over one hundred photos: “The real challenge was ensuring we had X-rayed all the components from every angle, taking different shots to cover each perspective – including the roof.”
After digitally stitching all these images together to form complete panels, the final artwork was applied to vinyl shapes and then smoothed across the bodywork. Despite the extra hours' work it entails, Veasey says this project has further fuelled his passion for 3D art.
