BMW Museum: Night of the White Gloves Lets Visitors Touch Exhibits

BMW Museum: Night of the White Gloves Lets Visitors Touch Exhibits

The Night of the White Gloves

Please touch - that's the watchword on Friday, 21st November 2008, during the Night of the White Gloves at the BMW Museum in Munich. What is strictly taboo in museums under normal circumstances will be expressly requested on this night. Visitors will be permitted, indeed encouraged to touch the cars, motorcycles and engines on display in order to "grasp" their technology and design through the senses. To safeguard the exhibits, all visitors will be handed a pair of white gloves.

The Night of the White Gloves will, for the first time, also offer an opportunity for the blind to touch and "grasp" the exhibits at the BMW Museum. This collaboration with the Bavarian Association of Blind and Partially Sighted People in Munich and Upper Bavaria is to be continued in the future as a tour programme fixture for the benefit of visually impaired people.

The BMW Museum showcases 120 exhibits from 90 years of brand history. "We would like to give visitors a unique opportunity to get in touch - literally - with our classics," says the Director of the BMW Museum, Dr Ralf Rodepeter, who is very much looking forward to this special event. From 7 p.m. until midnight, not only can the exhibits be handled, but the BMW Museum will also be opening up the vehicles' interior, engine compartment and luggage compartment. In addition to the regular exhibits, one of BMW's latest motorcycle models will be on display. Visitors will be invited to get astride the bike to gain some sense of the freedom experienced on two wheels.

On the occasion of the Night of the White Gloves, the GINA Concept Car and its cutting-edge features will be presented to the public for the first time. This future vision from the BMW Design department turns the spotlight on pioneering materials and design possibilities for car manufacturing and is set to radically alter our sensory perception of the car. Those keen to find out what future drive technology will feel like can enjoy an individual viewing of the hydrogen-powered BMW Hydrogen 7 along with a brief spin.

Throughout the evening, experts will be explaining various aspects relating to the priceless classic models on display. Director Dr Ralf Rodepeter will talk about the challenge of installing the exhibits in spring 2008 as well as relating some of his experiences with these classics and with visitors during the first 100 days following the opening of the Museum. Ralf Vierlein, who heads the Historic Vehicle Collection at BMW Classic, will explain how historic cars should be handled, what defines a "classic" and which direction restoration work could take in the future. Jürgen Steinle of BMW Design will turn his attention to hallmark features of BMW design, demonstrate the significance of the materials and surfaces employed, and look ahead to the tactile qualities of future vehicle concepts. In between these interviews, two mime artists will invite visitors to join them on a journey back in time to the 1920s, 50s and 80s. Culinary treats of a special kind will, as ever, be provided by the M1 Museum Café.