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Cadillac said today that it is celebrating the association between art and the automobile in a partnership with Artnet, curating a series of commissioned photographic works focused on the brand’s historic Goddess and the new bronze Goddess sculpture. The collection has images of the historic 1933 Goddess ornament, as well as the new contemporary Goddess sculpture returning on the Cadillac CELESTIQ EV, interpreted by three photographers: Petra Collins, Ming Smith and Dannielle Bowman.
“Automotive design has always been rooted in the importance of an artistic vision to create an emotional response,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director of Cadillac Design. “That’s what this series celebrates, as the iconic Cadillac Goddess was originally conceived nearly a century ago as an artful representation of the brand’s spirit and has been reintroduced on the all-new CELESTIQ ultra-luxury EV. Cadillac’s rich history and promising future continue to inspire.”
Their works will be offered through an online auction presented by Artnet, with Cadillac donating all proceeds to Free Arts NYC, a non-profit organization that uses art to help youth from under-served communities through art and mentoring programs to develop their creativity, confidence and skills to succeed. The images will be revealed at a private show hosted by Cadillac on 15 Feb.
Each photographer will attend to discuss their work and the inspiration behind it. The panel discussion will be featured on Artnet’s podcast, “The Art Angle,” and the event will also feature an exclusive, VIP gallery exhibit of the images for prospective bidders. Artnet is said to be the world’s largest platform for fine art and has changed the way aficionados discover, research and collect art. It was founded in 1989 and has 55 million annual users. The reveal and panel discussion coincide with activities surrounding Frieze Los Angeles, an international art fair focused largely on contemporary art.
History of the Cadillac Goddess
- The Cadillac Goddess was introduced in 1930, at the height of popularity for automotive mascots, which were viewed as symbols of style, elegance and prestige.
- The Goddess’ depiction of femininity evolved over time, becoming more contemporary and interpretive. Its first significant revision was introduced in 1933 and when launched, it exclusively adorned Cadillac’s V16 models.
- Its form was used on Cadillac models throughout the 1940s and into the mid-1950s, with a final appearance on the limited-production 1959 Eldorado Brougham. More than six decades later, the Goddess returns to inspire the next generation of Cadillac cars, as the brand reinvents itself for an EV future. It has taken a new form with the all-new CELESTIQ ultra-luxury EV. It will be produced in limited quantity and is available by inquiry only.
- The 1933 Goddess was its inspiration, as a Cadillac artist focused on creating impressionistic wings and complex, flowing drapery that give the figure a sense of motion. Today’s Goddess is found on the front quarter panel of the CELESTIQ and within the multi-function controller on the center console. The latter is composed of a combination of real metal and glass, housing the Goddess emblem in it.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Annals of Marketing – Cadillac’s 1933 Goddess Mascot Returns
Click for more information.
Cadillac said today that it is celebrating the association between art and the automobile in a partnership with Artnet, curating a series of commissioned photographic works focused on the brand’s historic Goddess and the new bronze Goddess sculpture. The collection has images of the historic 1933 Goddess ornament, as well as the new contemporary Goddess sculpture returning on the Cadillac CELESTIQ EV, interpreted by three photographers: Petra Collins, Ming Smith and Dannielle Bowman.
“Automotive design has always been rooted in the importance of an artistic vision to create an emotional response,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director of Cadillac Design. “That’s what this series celebrates, as the iconic Cadillac Goddess was originally conceived nearly a century ago as an artful representation of the brand’s spirit and has been reintroduced on the all-new CELESTIQ ultra-luxury EV. Cadillac’s rich history and promising future continue to inspire.”
Their works will be offered through an online auction presented by Artnet, with Cadillac donating all proceeds to Free Arts NYC, a non-profit organization that uses art to help youth from under-served communities through art and mentoring programs to develop their creativity, confidence and skills to succeed. The images will be revealed at a private show hosted by Cadillac on 15 Feb.
Each photographer will attend to discuss their work and the inspiration behind it. The panel discussion will be featured on Artnet’s podcast, “The Art Angle,” and the event will also feature an exclusive, VIP gallery exhibit of the images for prospective bidders. Artnet is said to be the world’s largest platform for fine art and has changed the way aficionados discover, research and collect art. It was founded in 1989 and has 55 million annual users. The reveal and panel discussion coincide with activities surrounding Frieze Los Angeles, an international art fair focused largely on contemporary art.
History of the Cadillac Goddess
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.