You may have read in dispatches that Jeremy, Richard and James have been up in the North East of England engaging in some sort of art project. Well this is indeed true.
Last week the boys went up to Middlesbrough – which may or may not be near Newcastle, they weren’t sure – and set about turning the town’s MIMA gallery into a temple to the art of the car with a cavalcade of paintings, photography and sculpture, some of which they made themselves.
The exhibition opened on Saturday and, although there were a few hitches in putting it together, overall things went well. By which we mean, nothing caught fire and no one lost an arm.
Certainly, when Clarkson, Hammond and May left Middlesbrough – still not entirely clear where it was – they felt confident that they could achieve their self-imposed attendance target and thereby prove that cars are more popular than normal art.
You can see exactly what happened when the boys embarked on their car art odyssey later in the series but in the meantime you can still visit their show which is on at MIMA on Central Square in Middlesbrough until Sunday 29 November. It’s well worth a look if you happen to be in Middlesbrough area.
Just don’t bother asking the presenters where that is.
Find more details at the Middlesbrough Council website.
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Ozz commented on this article
Wednesday November 25, 2009 at 4:39 pm
@ Pugheaven. Why doesn’t that surprise me in the least
Good to know that some assumptions are pretty much on the money ~ thanks for confirming a bit of faith in humanity for me 
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Countach commented on this article
Wednesday November 25, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I’ve been into the exhibition today, and whilst I agree that StigWorld is a bit strange (but not necessarily as strange as some modern art), I loved the rest of it! I’d happily take home the carbon-fibre shark, and the Damon Hill photo is hilarious! (Shame they’ve hung the fire photo upside down!)
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MikeC commented on this article
Wednesday November 25, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Looks terrific. Really enjoyed the present series so far, especially the electric car film. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
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St001DreamPoliceGirl commented on this article
Wednesday November 25, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Switching gears for a second…that video “Guns and Booze”…do you know that vehicle would be a “Red Neck’s Picnic Basket Dream” on wheels…(not that I know any red necks…no!..lol!) Hey now! No red necks here! Anyhow……I’ve been told that they would probably throw away all that expensive wine and champagne and replace it with beer in cans. That’s just the way they are….that Viking ancestry and all…does the Stig have Viking ancestors? No, I forgot,…he likes his beer in a teacup!
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St001DreamPoliceGirl commented on this article
Wednesday November 25, 2009 at 7:51 pm
oop’s off topic…sorry….
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James May Fan commented on this article
Wednesday November 25, 2009 at 9:42 pm
I saw the exhibition and loved it. Better than the usual tat found in a gallery. Atleast it was interesting and not a painting on a wall or a painted vase in a glass case.
The local paper ‘Evening Gazette’ said that the programme featuring mima would be aired 20th December so keep an eye out.
I met Jermey, Richard and James, all really nice guys. Especially James
Oh and to those who say that Top Gear isnt what it was. Open your mind abit, its entertaing and its fun. Go read a car manual if you want a full in and out report on a car. The guys do what they do and they do it good. I cannot wait for more.
Have abit of fun in life
Cat x
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bigtitsfan1 commented on this article
Wednesday November 25, 2009 at 10:34 pm
IT LOOKS AWESOME
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rob:)geordie commented on this article
Thursday November 26, 2009 at 10:56 am
hahaha the top gear trio at the riverside wearing newcastle shirts nd then changing them 2 boro shirts pity tht they dropped 2points nd newcastle didnt
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GMassie commented on this article
Thursday November 26, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I think its great that Top Gear has decided to attempt art and I cant wait to see the video although I’m not sure if the Astra is art or the stigs entrance guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
Another thing i think is great is this will be the first art exhibit where you wont get thrown out for sniggering at the art. It is also nice to hear that there was no fires or injuries… yet.
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matthew foreman commented on this article
Thursday November 26, 2009 at 10:55 pm
do you see Motors Village up on teesside calld Preston Farm Industrial Estate ner yram
matthew
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jezza09 commented on this article
Saturday November 28, 2009 at 8:16 pm
should of whent to judges, kirklivington…its near yarm nice hotel and resturant, just a tip guys xx
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gary b commented on this article
Saturday November 28, 2009 at 8:52 pm
i was there i seen the boys
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Devastated commented on this article
Sunday November 29, 2009 at 2:22 pm
What?! I live in the north east!! HOW DID I ONLY JUST FIND OUT ABOUT THIS???
Hang on.. they wore mag shirts? Crap. I’m a Sunderland supporter! ><
Why guys, why?????????????????
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Geoff Electric Cars commented on this article
Saturday December 5, 2009 at 5:31 pm
Top Gear Magazine, December issue, again with that tremendous free calendar, covered briefly the Red Bull 2005 DC car, covered in paint. It looks rather interesting and is a scientfic study of the air flow over the boywork, very interesting, a bit like not washing your car in winter gritted road days so you can see the flow of every body decaying, white gritty morsel destroying your car!
Hmm Top Gear and science, a new unique combination, wish i could see this display in person.
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Gavin commented on this article
Wednesday December 9, 2009 at 11:44 am
Amazed that I’ve only just seen this post despite having been there myself on the Saturday morning and seen all three presenters, although Hammond only rushed by us briefly and wasn’t seen again. First time I’ve seen that van art as well. :p
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Ilovetg commented on this article
Friday December 11, 2009 at 7:19 pm
that looks so cool
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ellis51 commented on this article
Wednesday December 16, 2009 at 9:13 pm
I was at MIMA and there was a man with a pram with a flag over it saying “star in a reasnobley priced pram….
It was actually quite good…..
I didnt get STIG WORLD though
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the stigs donkey commented on this article
Monday December 28, 2009 at 7:51 pm
why do people say top gear isn’t about cars? if they want a show that goes on for an hour talking about engines and nuts and bolts and which car to buy, then they should watch something else, i want a show that is brilliant, funny, has a load of stunts and hilarious journeys to rainforest’s and dried up lakes, and thats what i get when i watch top gear.
well done guys, you make a great show
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Art Shop commented on this article
Thursday February 18, 2010 at 9:27 am
I like the art of the car. But who can tell me the meaning of the second picture – it seems that the car will rush out from the underground.
— http://www.artwebbuy.com
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Watertreker568 commented on this article
Wednesday November 24, 2010 at 4:18 am
why do they abuse cars? really? why not abuse the idiots who came up with them?
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