Porsche: Linseed oil protects the 356 Bonsai
ART CAR American artist Daniel Arsham has taken on a Porsche for the third time. The result is the 356 Bonsai. With this project, Arsham takes a bow to Japanese craftsmanship.
The basis is a Porsche 356 Speedster from 1955, whose traces of use were gradually uncovered by American artist Daniel Arsham.
The body paint was completely stripped, the original paintwork including decades of touch-up attempts removed. This revealed weld seams, scars and age-related wear. A layer of linseed oil now protects the raw metal.
Bronze relief of a bonsai above the engine
While the exterior of the 356 Bonsai appears to be worn, it is drivable without restriction, as all functionally relevant components have been restored to their original delivery condition by restorers.
On the grill above the rear engine, Arsham added a patinated bronze relief in the shape of a bonsai tree.
Japanese denim for speedster soft top
The interior is furnished with traditional fabrics. Originally, Japanese technique was used to mend work clothes so that they could be worn longer. The natural traces of wear are preserved.
As a final fabric, Arsham and his team produced a Japanese denim for the Speedster's skimpy soft top. And under the spare wheel in the trunk is a Japanese tatami mat made of rice straw, which is often laid as flooring in Japanese living spaces.
