"Méta"

Image Not Available

Expand

IIIFView PDF

Images(2)

Image Not Available

"Méta"

Artist Jean Tinguely (Swiss, 1925-1991)

Publisher Pierre Horay, Paris, 1973 (1st ed. 1972)

Printer text: Tryckerigruppen Malmö, Sweden; plate: Malmö Kliche AB, Sweden

Binder Norden, Malmö

Author K.G. (Karl Gunnar) Pontus Hultén (born 1924)

Author Pontus Hultén (1924-2006)

Date1973

MediumOriginal painting: painting executed by Tinguely's machine "Meta-matic no. 6", on white card stock. Reproductions: photolithographs of drawings, diagrams, photographs, and newspaper clippings, some in colors. Text: photolithography. Paper: coated white wove Bergishe Gladback paper, and transparent vellum (?).

ClassificationBooks

Credit LineGift of Molly and Walter Bareiss

Object number

1984.1133

Not on View

Label TextJean Tinguely, Méta. Text by K.G. Pontus Hultén (1973) Jean Tinguely is both famous and notorious for producing massive self-destructing machine-like sculptures, all of which he called Méta. One such machine was composed of 80 wheels from bicycles, carriages, and toys as well as a bath tub, piano, bell, car horn, and other items, and was powered by 15 motors. The Méta constructions offered various results—some smashed porcelain, one clubbed a toy bear, and some painted or drew ‘art’. Tinguely shared the Dadaist belief that art should be based on chance. He was most influenced by Kurt Schwitters’ massive and ever growing installation sculptures, and by Francis Picabia’s machine imagery. This book by Tinguely comes housed in its own suitcase. The case is illustrated with images suggestive of the Méta machines. The contents of the book include an original painting created by one of Tinguely’s machines, “Meta-matic no. 6.” The book also chronicles some of Tinguely’s other Méta projects with reproductions of diagrams, drawings, and photographs.Exhibition HistoryToledo Museum of Art, Splendid Pages: The Molly and Walter Bareiss Collection of Modern Illustrated Books, Feb. 14--May 11, 2003.