To celebrate Sweden’s tradition of welcoming the summer solstice, Volvo Car USA collaborated with American-Swedish contemporary artist Shai Dahan to create a hand-painted representation of Midsummer in New York City on an all-electric Volvo C40 Recharge.
Taking inspiration from nature with nods to Scandinavian folklore, a picturesque mural of brightly intertwined flowers to represent both the Swedish and New York City spirits will be painted along the compact luxury SUV’s sleek profile. The fully electric C40 Recharge being used as the canvas for the artwork represents the Swedish automaker’s commitment to a more sustainable planet, which includes being 100 percent electric by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2040.
It will be on display from June 23 at 17:00
Born in Los Angeles and currently living in Sweden, Dahan is an American-Swedish contemporary painter and street artist best known for his dynamic and colorful public artworks that celebrate cultural diversity and social issues. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and publications, and he has received a variety of awards and grands for his contributions to the arts.
The general public is invited to watch Dahan work June 13 through 16 and June 19 through 20 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. in the Volvo Studio Manhattan, located at 565 Eleventh Avenue, New York, NY 10036. The completed car will be revealed on June 22 at 6:30 P.M. during a Midsummer celebration at the Studio that runs from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Following the celebration, the C40 Recharge will be on display at the 25th anniversary of the Swedish Midsummer Festival presented by Consulate General of Sweden in Rockefeller Park, June 23 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Guests can partake in traditional Swedish activities such as dancing around the Midsummer pole, making flower wreaths and tasting traditional Swedish delicacies.
