This artist produces Porsche 911 components using marble.

      Casper Braat

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      As an automotive icon, the Porsche 911 is worthy of being commemorated, and artist Casper Braat is doing just that, piece by piece.

      Braat focuses on marble sculptures of everyday items, but he appears to have a special affection for the 911. He has created various components from classic, air-cooled models, including a Fuchs wheel, door, front bumper, engine cover, and a complete flat-six engine. At this rate, he’ll soon have enough parts to assemble an entire car.

      Each piece features impressive detail. The vents and Porsche lettering on the engine cover are sharply defined, and the belts on the engine seem almost capable of movement. While a vintage 911 can be quite durable if well cared for, swapping metal, rubber, and plastic for marble guarantees even greater durability. There’s no need to worry about rust, although replacing your vintage 911’s door with one of these would likely add significant weight. We’d also be more impressed if Braat could create one with a functioning roll-down window.

      Why create 911 components from marble? Applying the same sculptural approach to car parts and commonplace items as is done with Greek gods and Roman emperors elevates them beyond the mundane. Braat’s work “presents the everyday as pure extravagance, a viewpoint fueled by his deep fascination with consumer society,” according to a statement on his website.

      “Objects become part of our identity and contribute to an individual’s status,” the statement explains, which may illuminate the focus on 911 parts as representatives of automotive consumerism. While the average observer may not grasp the importance of boxer engines or air cooling, they likely recognize the Porsche brand and sports cars as symbols of luxury. With 911 prices continuing to rise, this sports car is unlikely to lose its exclusivity anytime soon.

      Transforming everyday objects into sculptures acknowledges that “brands and corporations dominate and profoundly shape global capitalist culture,” the statement articulates. Braat believes that “we should celebrate our commercialized world, flaws and all, at least while we can.”