A unique Mini, featuring an exterior designed by legendary artist, illustrator and graphic designer Alan Aldridge, is on show at the Design Museum in London. The Mini Aldridge Special is part a retrospective display of Alan's work, entitled "The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes".
Alan Aldridge is known primarily for his creative work throughout the 1960s and '70s. Dubbed "The Graphic Entertainer", Aldridge illustrated lyric books for the Beatles, album covers for The Rolling Stones, The Who and Elton John. He was also art director for Penguin Books and illustrated children's books such as "The Butterfly Ball".
Now working in Los Angeles, Aldridge was keen to mark the opening of his exhibition by recreating an iconic cover of the Sunday Times Magazine from 1965, which featured a classic Mini painted in his own, inimitable style. The updated interpretation of this image, using a new Mini as the canvas, again warranted a cover in an October 2008 edition of the same publication.
The Mini Aldridge Special is adorned with an array of images, shapes and patterns, each reflecting either a male or female theme, just as the 1965 car did. The design theme is split between each side of the car, the driver's side being set on a blue background with a masculine appearance, the passenger's side artistry backed on pink.
"The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes" exhibition runs until 1/25/09. Mini fans will get another chance to see the Mini Aldridge Special at Mini United, the global Mini event staged at a famous British race circuit on May 22-24, 2009. Further details will be announced nearer the time.