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Jean Tinguely; Niki de Saint Phalle
Le Grand Oiseau Amoureux
1988/89
Material / technique: scrap iron, railroad tracks, electric motor, polyester figure by Niki de Saint Phalle
Size: 725 x 700 x 770 cm
Inv.Number: 11346
Catalog: Bischofberger 0897
Creditline: Museum Tinguely, Basel, Donation Niki de Saint Phalle
“Le Grand Oiseau Amoureux” was executed in 1988 after a design by Niki de Saint Phalle. The gigantic polyester sculpture, which is supported by an iron framework, moved back and forth on train tracks in the Verrereie, Tinguely’s studio in the Canton of Fribourg. Today the sculpture is on permanent loan by Museum Tinguely to Mendrisio, where it is installed at the Università della Svizzera italiana, co-founded by Mario Botta.
Pictures in our Collection
The following applies for uses of pictures in relation to our collection:
Museum Tinguely does not own any copyright in works by Jean Tinguely or other artists in the collection. The clarification of these rights and payment in respect of them is a matter for the applicant. In Switzerland, the collecting society responsible for this is ProLitteris, Zurich (link website: www.prolitteris.ch). Museum Tinguely undertakes no liability for third party claims arising from infringement of copyright and personality rights.
Collection of Museum Tinguely
Works and work groups belonging to all phases of Jean Tinguely’s career are to be found in the museum's collection. Along with selected temporary loans, they afford the visitor an extensive view of the artist’s career. Apart from sculptures, the collection furthermore comprises a large number of drawings and letter-drawings, documents, exhibition posters, catalogues and documentation such as photographs. In the measure of the possible all the exhibits are accessible to the public and regularly shown, be it in the permanent collection or as loans to exhibitions worldwide.
The museum’s collections are the result of a generous donation by the artist’s widow, Niki de Saint Phalle, made on the occasion of its foundation, a donation of works from the Roche collection, as well as several other gifts and acquisitions.
>> Biography of Jean Tinguely
>> History of the collection