Jean Tinguely

Jean Tingeuly was a Swiss sculptor specializing in sculpture, specifically kinetic machines. He was born in Fribourg, Switzerland in May 1925. As he grew older, he acquired an apprenticeship as a decorator. His lack of discipline lead him to lose his job, however, an independent decorator recognized his talent and helped to enroll him in Basel's School of Arts and Crafts. It was there where he began to engage with modern art. After school, he went into the military, returning after two years to work as a freelance designer. As his popularity grew, Tingeuly opened up exhibits featuring his artworks at various museums and events.

Tingeuly's works consist mostly of machinery and other various found objects, which he puts together to create "metamechanics" as he dubbed them. Usually, a motor or system of mechanics are included in the work, as the sculptures are kinetic. Tingeuly's work is heavily inspired by the Dada methods- challenging ideas about technology's use in society. His creations were meant to mock the "improvements" of modern technology, challenging the morals of the steadily evolving reliance on technology. One of his most famous pieces/exhibits is "Metamechanical Sculpture with Tripod", done in 1954.