Explore the Art of Monochrome: Mathieu Cesar's Iconic Photography Meets Alpine Innovation
Mathieu Cesar, renowned for his expressive black-and-white portraiture, masterfully manipulates shadows, light, and contrast to bring his subjects to life. Celebrated for his retro-futuristic style, Cesar is a leading expert in lighting techniques today. His lifelong enthusiasm for cars also permeates his work.
"Passion and childhood influences heavily shape my world; I continue to explore these themes in my predominantly black-and-white photographs. Cars epitomise human ingenuity—a universal object that unites people. We aim to capture this unity in our Monochromatic project with Alpine designers," Mathieu Cesar explains.
In his recent venture into the Alpine universe, Mathieu Cesar has captured an entirely monochrome car, elevating it to a genuine work of art. By eliminating all colour, the vehicle's purity in black and white and the greys and chromes accentuate every line and detail, highlighting its refined beauty.
The collaboration between Alpine and Mathieu Cesar is a co-creation that combines the artist's visionary approach with the brand's technical expertise. The Monochromatic project offers an automotive design perspective where simplicity is synonymous with sophistication.
This design accentuates the timeless, sleek curves of the iconic A110 S while showcasing its formidable power (300 bhp, 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, with a power-to-weight ratio of 3.7 kg/hp). Inspired by the Berlinette, the A110 S’s design embodies sportiness, meticulously aligning the mechanical components to reveal a bold character suited for road and track use.
"This collaboration is a dialogue between two arts: Mathieu’s world of photography and our automotive craftsmanship. It’s a perfect fusion of our mutual visions of performance and elegance. The A110 Monochromatic is not just about materials and textures; it’s about passion and emotion," explains Antony Villain, Alpine Design Director.
The car's exterior features a black-and-white gradient, a hallmark of Mathieu Cesar, conceptualised during the initial meeting with the Alpine design team in early 2024. The design team stripped back the A110 S’s aluminium bodywork, focusing on white transition zones, while the gloss black front and rear panels create a striking graphic effect.
Inside, the A110 Monochromatic contrasts a white upper section against a black lower section. Utilising 3D printing technology, the backrests and door trims are designed for lightness and transparency. The upholstery transitions from white to black, mirroring the exterior’s gradient. Aluminium interior elements such as the console decoration, a nameplate, and specific door sills complete the elegant interior design.
Throughout this collaboration, Mathieu Cesar has captured Alpine's soul in timeless photographs and a film, depicting the car as if suspended in a parallel universe where light and shadow dance upon the bodywork.
Following collaborations with Felipe Pantone in 2021, the Obvious Collective in 2022, and Arne Quinze in 2023, Alpine continues its commitment to artistic partnerships, highlighting its dedication to creativity and innovation for the fourth consecutive year.
