Etrick Art Captures 90th Commemoration Of Auto Union AG/AUDI In Stunning Sculpture

Forward looking front end of the debut release of the first Auto Union AG 1936 Auto Union Type C grand prix racer sculpted in aluminum by Michael Etrick with Raul Cenan and finished by Etrick Art. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022)

Etrick Art Captures 90th Commemoration Of Auto Union AG/AUDI In Stunning Sculpture

The automotive innovator and Germany based design stalwart that began life as Auto Union, and the world knows by the name AUDI, celebrates 90 years of continued motor culture participation. Through the merging of resources of, Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer in 1932, Auto Union was able to bring together highly talented and determined individuals to develop outstanding race cars. 

The unveiling at Eric Nobel's CarLab design studio in Orange California. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022)

In the sculpture series REFLECTS, Michael Etrick and Raul Cenan, aided by Devin Etrick and Mike Tellez - that is Etrick Art - debut its lead sculpture of the 1936 Auto Union Type C. The debut of these brilliant aluminum art pieces is coinciding with the 90th anniversary of the formation of Auto Union AG on June 29, 2022.

Lead sculpture in the REFLECTS Series depicting the race car designs of the early 1930's (1936 Auto Union Type C) that formed the Auto Union AG design language for speed Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022)

In his artist development career arch, Michael Etrick was contracted in Germany as an automotive design clay sculptor. He worked at AUDI and was impressed through his tours of the facilities at seeing some of the original race cars produced through the formation of Auto Union throughout the early 1930's. The historic nature of these racers, along with the bold designs, caught his attention. The formation of Etrick Art and his current artworks are a direct result of this preliminary and formative encounter.

The perfectly polished reflection off of the metal has the stationary 302 pound sculptor piece feel that is moving very quickly. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022)

Etrick Art's 1936 Auto Union Type C going away. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022)

 "I was working at Audi, and I’ve seen all the classic race cars and models in person. If you’re going to start with Auto Union and the coolest thing the company did including Ferdinand Porsche’s involvement - the whole build-up of it, and if you are going to do an iconic vehicle related to Audi, the 1936 Auto Union Type C would be the one!" - reflects Michael Etrick on the choice of this debut, 302 pound billet aluminum racer, that preceded the Mercedes Benz versions and became known as the "Silver Arrows" race cars, a Benz icon term used to this day.

The full display consists of six separate pieces. The display stand with placement impressions, four sculpted wheel elements, and the main racecar body with driver. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022)

Driver takes the wheel! Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022)

The solid, polished aluminum Auto Union Tribute sculptures are idealized, organic forms inspired by the Type C race cars from a bygone era add beauty and excitement to any décor. Yet, being an auto enthusiast isn’t necessary to fully appreciate the Etrick Art pieces. 

The REFLECTS sculpture series is produced in two distinct sizes - this being an example of the smaller one of the 1936 Auto Union Type C. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022) 

Additionally, the mirror-finish of the material coupled with flowing forms masterfully reflect light, hence the name of this series. The sculptures are currently available in two sizes, the impressively larger piece, again, weighs in at over 300-pounds.

Side-by-side of the initial release from REFLECTS Series from Etrick Art. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2022) 

REFLECTS Series produced by Etrick Art is a tribute commemoration that honors the formation of four brands - Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer - who agreed to join together on June 29, 1932 to survive the vast challenges encountered by the global depression. The four interlocking rings of the logo symbolized the merger creating Auto Union. Today, Audi’s logo proudly displays the same interlocking rings on its products, as a reminder of this exquisite motor culture heritage.

Video Taken By Chris Erickson - Secret Car Club Events

Along with the unveiling of these new sculptures, the Etrick Art web site comes alive at https://etrickart.com. The site covers all aspects of the development process, history, products, images, and availability. Beyond the featured sculptures and prints, bespoke artwork can be commissioned, as well. 

Motor culture visionaries and artists Michael Etrick and Raul Cenan of Etrick Art present their debut REFLECTS Series sculpture at Eric Nobel's CarLab in Orange to select small groups of communicators. Most all in attendance were pleasingly stunned when this piece is revealed. Image Credit: Chris Erickson - Secret Car Club Events (2022) 

This excerpted and edited from LinkedIn -

Exceptionally crafted, solid metal, limited-production sculptures for a fortunate few—Michael Etrick

Published By John Dinkel - LinkedIn - July 26, 2022 

What you are looking at here is an incredible piece of automotive art. More than a decade in the making, the idea for this sculpture came about when Michael Etrick, an American automotive design sculptor, was working for Audi. 

He became fascinated with the prospect of bringing the 1930s Auto Union era to life in the form of fine art. Along with Raul Cenan, who has a long history of automotive design with VW/Audi and Ford, the two capture the essence of the 1936 Type C racer in this sculpture.

From concept, the idea evolved into hand renderings, then to a clay model. Molds were made, and a hard copy was reproduced out of fiberglass/ epoxy, which allowed Etrick to further refine the design.  

Then the model was scanned using the latest digital software and this data was sent to a six-axis milling machine, which milled out the basic shape from a block of TC 6061 aluminum.

[finish here]

Typically, the automotive design studios’ internal projects, along with those that are developed outside of their facilities, are indeed a team effort. However, this recent endeavor is personal to Mr. Etrick. Michael combines his traditional clay modeling capabilities along with modern technologies, where the end result does not have a designed-by-committee look or feel. The initial sculptures in the REFLECTS Series pose a hint of concept car-like vision while also being race car relatable. Practicality and performance have a place in the real world, but those definitely take a backseat to refined, styling brilliance found through the processes at Etrick Art. 

Public showings are being planned and it is understood that AUDI dealerships throughout the county would love to have this sculpture be the centerpiece of their own recognition of Auto Union/AUDI celebrating 90 years strong through parties held at their dealerships for special customers and business affiliates.

... notes from The EDJE

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TAGS: Michael Etrick, Raul Cernan, Devin Etrick, Mike Tellez, Etrick Art, REFLECTS, Auto Union AG, AUDI, CarLab, The EDJE