People with a keen eye for detail had already spotted it: since only very recently Enzo Ide has been competing with a helmet designed by the French artist Benjamin Vautier. Over the entire helmet this artist has expressed what speed and racing portrays for him. Le Mans has its Art Car, Enzo Ide now has his Art Helmet.

Who is Benjamin Vautier?

Benjamin Vautier is a French artist, member of the Fluxus Group, committed to Lettrisme. Lettrisme is an extreme form of surrealistic visual poetry, whereby the signs are used purely for their graphic and spatial values. Benjamin Vautier, alias ‘Ben’, was born n Naples on 18th July 1935, but today lives and works in Nice. In the south of France coastal town he also created the decoration of the Tramway, one of his most famous oeuvres. He also designed the new outfit for the Nice rugby team and was also the inspiration for a set of stamps for the French postal services.

Why?

Enzo Ide: “I met ‘Ben’ in France via my father and was immediately taken in by his work. He evidently also has a fascination for racing and speed and these impressions he elaborated in a continuous text on my helmet. For a racing driver a helmet is something very personal, on the one hand it protects in the event of a crash, on the other you can also recognise a driver by his helmet. In fact in a way it is an extension of your sporting personality. I wanted to make something that was different that I hitherto personally had or had seen amongst my colleagues. Hence we very quickly came to working together. Personally I think it’s a great success and I will make sure that the helmet will be highly successful. In fact I clinched my first victory with this helmet very close to ‘Ben’s’ residence and workplace, namely in Paul-Ricard!”

The future of the art

Enzo Ide: “‘Ben’ made my helmet like a small piece of artwork and as such it has a value. At the end of the season we will be converting that value via an auction into an amount that will be donated to a good cause. That good cause is as yet unknown”

This weekend, Enzo Ide races with the helmet in the 2nd race of the Blancpain Endurance Series in Silverstone.

Source : Enzo Ide