© Jean Tinguely/Bildupphovsrätt 2025
Méta-Matic nr 17
Artist
Jean Tinguely
(Schweiz, 1925 - 1991)
Date1959
MediumPainted iron and wood, paper, ink, fuel engine, latex ballon
Dimensions330 x 170 x 190 cm (129 15/16 x 66 15/16 x 74 13/16 in.)
ClassificationSculptures
Credit LineDonation 1965 from The Friends of Moderna Museet
Countries
Object NumberNMSK 1895
CollectionsModerna Museets Vänner
The artwork is not on display
About the artworkJean Tinguely experimented with mobile and self-destructing sculptures. Méta-Matic no 17 is one of his first drawing machines. It dances, makes noises and incessantly spits out ink drawings. Tinguely was, among other things, aiming a blow at informal painting, which was all the rave in Paris in the 1950s. The exhaust from the petrol engine is collected in a balloon that fills slowly until it bursts.
Tinguely's objects were often created specifically for one performance or temporary exhibition. They weren’t meant to be running day after day. The film shows one of Moderna Museet’s technicians starting up Méta-Matic for a performance at the Jean Tinguely Museum in Basel in 1997.
Signatures, inscriptions and marks Osignerad Selected exhibition history Hyllningar - Moderna Museets Vänner 50 år (2003) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Pop Art & Nouveau Réalisme, ur samlingarna (1991-1992) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Explosion (den 2 juni 2012 - den 9 september 2012) Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona Rörelse i konsten (1961) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Moderna Museets samling i ny presentation (1998-2000) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Givet av MMV (1972) Moderna Museet, Stockholm The Moderna Museet exhibition catalogues Rörelse i konsten : Moderna Museet, Stockholm : 17 maj - 3 september 1961Givet av Moderna Museets vänner : [Moderna Museet : 22.1 - 13.2 1972]Explosion! Måleri som handling / Painting as Action : [Moderna Museet 2/6-9/9 2012]Pop Art & Nouveau realisme : ur Moderna Museets samlingar : Moderna Museet 26.12.1991 - 09.08.1992
Tinguely's objects were often created specifically for one performance or temporary exhibition. They weren’t meant to be running day after day. The film shows one of Moderna Museet’s technicians starting up Méta-Matic for a performance at the Jean Tinguely Museum in Basel in 1997.
Signatures, inscriptions and marks Osignerad Selected exhibition history Hyllningar - Moderna Museets Vänner 50 år (2003) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Pop Art & Nouveau Réalisme, ur samlingarna (1991-1992) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Explosion (den 2 juni 2012 - den 9 september 2012) Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona Rörelse i konsten (1961) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Moderna Museets samling i ny presentation (1998-2000) Moderna Museet, Stockholm Givet av MMV (1972) Moderna Museet, Stockholm The Moderna Museet exhibition catalogues Rörelse i konsten : Moderna Museet, Stockholm : 17 maj - 3 september 1961Givet av Moderna Museets vänner : [Moderna Museet : 22.1 - 13.2 1972]Explosion! Måleri som handling / Painting as Action : [Moderna Museet 2/6-9/9 2012]Pop Art & Nouveau realisme : ur Moderna Museets samlingar : Moderna Museet 26.12.1991 - 09.08.1992