On May 22, 2025, the renowned Swiss artist Jean Tinguely (1925-1991) would have reached his centennial birthday. In celebration, his groundbreaking, whimsical, and still-relevant works will be commemorated worldwide through various exhibitions, events, and activities. We are happy to join in the celebrations and are publishing “video portraits” of nine of Jean Tinguely’s kinetic works to mark the occasion, recorded on the occasion of the huge retrospective at Museum Tinguely in Basel (Switzerland) in 2012. The artwork in this video is: Jean Tinguely: Hannibal II (1967)<br /><br />Jean Tinguely (1925-1991) was a Swiss painter and sculptor, renowned for his kinetic art, which involves mechanical movement. Born in Fribourg, Switzerland, Tinguely first gained attention in the late 1950s with his “Métamatics” series, where he created machines that could autonomously paint. His work often incorporated elements of humor, irony, and a critique of modern society’s obsession with technology and consumerism. One of his most famous works, “Homage to New York,” was a self-destructing machine displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in 1960. Tinguely collaborated with notable artists like Niki de Saint Phalle, his wife, on projects like the “Cyclop” in Milly-la-Forêt, France. His art not only challenges the traditional static nature of sculpture but also invites interaction, reflecting on themes of life, decay, and the ephemeral. His influence persists in contemporary art, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between art, technology, and the viewer.
