Would you believe that this odd cocoon-shaped object is actually a car? In fact, it’s one of BMW’s hydrogen-powered race cars under a sheath of steel mesh, stainless steel mirrors, and many layers of ice. Created by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, the project was sponsored by BMW and is meant to show the connection between cars and global climate change.

The car, entitled Your Mobile Expectations, was part of BMW’s Art Car Series, which invites artists to modify the luxury cars. Eliasson’s contribution was  displayed in a special walk-in freezer room at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich. The project took the artist three years to develop. It involved removing the body of a BMW H2 and replacing it with a skin of steel mesh and reflective metal.

About 2000 liters of water were then sprayed over the new skin, forming a delicate layer of ice atop the reflective material. The artist believes that his piece reminds viewers of their unique relationship with the vehicles they drive and they planet on which they live. The exhibit is striking, to be sure, but unless that giant freezer room was powered by green energy, we’re not sure the exhibit had the effect the artist was going for. Still, as art cars go, this is certainly one of the most unique.