Jean Tinguely is famous for his animated mechanical sculptures, a blend of chaos and poetry. Born in Fribourg in 1925, he grew up in Basel before moving to Paris, where he made a name for himself with his kinetic art. In 1956, he met Niki de Saint Phalle, with whom he collaborated on major works such as the Fontaine Stravinsky in Paris. In the 1970s, he moved to the canton of Fribourg. There he created the Jo Siffert Fountain, a tribute to the Fribourg pilot, and transformed his studio into a veritable artistic laboratory. His playful, critical art challenged consumer society and celebrated ephemeral movement. Jean Tinguely died in a Bern hospital in 1991.

In 2025, the internationally renowned artist Jean Tinguely would have celebrated his 100th birthday. Several events and exhibitions will be organized throughout the year to pay tribute to this great artist from Fribourg.

The program will be regularly updated on this page and supplemented by the one you can find here.

La Bande mécanique

Museum of Art and History of Fribourg

As a tribute to the artistic legacy of Jean Tinguely, the Magnifique Théâtre collective is developing an exhibition at the crossroads of theatrical scenography and kinetic installation. You’ll discover a “family of machines”, from grandparents to children, uncles and aunts, pets and even the monster under the bed. Throughout the year, some of the machine characters will escape from their home (the MAHF) and go on excursions around Fribourg and the canton.

EXPOSITION MUSEOSCOPE
April 4th to September 7th 2025
Opening April 3rd
At the Museum of Art and History

OUTSIDE THE WALLS
All year round
Various locations in the canton of Fribourg
Program to come

Tour de Romandie: Basel-Fribourg stage

Wednesday, April 30th, 2025

This year, the Tour de Romandie celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Swiss artist Jean Tinguely by dedicating the first stage, Basel-Fribourg, to him. Several tributes to the artist are planned throughout the day.
On this occasion, the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire and the Espace Jean Tinguely – Niki de Saint Phalle will offer free admission to all visitors.
Details will be announced at a later date.

Fribourg celebrates Jean Tinguely’s 100th birthday

Sunday, June 15th, 2025

The State and the City of Fribourg invite the entire population to celebrate Jean Tinguely on this day of tribute to the Fribourg artist. From the Boulevard de Pérolles to the Bourg, the festivities will be accompanied by various surprises. Exhibitions and activities for the whole family will be free of charge.

On the program for the day, from 9:00 to 18:00:

• Free admission and entertainment for young and old at L’Atelier, Espace Jean Tinguely – Niki de Saint Phalle and the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de Fribourg;
• Parade from the Boulevard de Pérolles to the Bourg;
• Official speeches, singing and dancing at the Jo Siffert Fountain

« Neyruz fête Tinguely »

Saturday, June 28th, 2025

Upcoming program

Exhibition Jean Tinguely – Emetteur poétique

From 21.11.25 to 22.02.26

Museum of Art and History and Espace Jean Tinguely – Niki de Saint Phalle                              

After recalling the artist’s beginnings and his actions in the 1960s and 1970s, the exhibition focuses on his later work, which deals with the excesses and vanities of a consumerist world. These themes resonate with Tinguely’s works in the MAHF collection as well as with the cultural heritage of his home canton. The last work, remarkable for its depth, urgency and radicalism, also allows us to reflect on the question of the artist’s image and its mediatization.

The exhibition will address the question of collaboration (with Niki de Saint Phalle, of course, but also with other creators or assistants) and will highlight Rico Weber’s photographs, which are unique and mostly unpublished documents. They bear witness to the great Tinguelan projects in which Rico Weber was involved (from HON to Paradis Fantastique to Cyclop).

At Espace Jean Tinguely – Niki de Saint Phalle

The exhibition Emetteur poétique continues in the Espace Jean Tinguely – Niki de Saint Phalle, in dialog with the other themes developed at the MAHF. Visitors will see, among other things, filmed interviews conducted in 2024 and 2025 with those who worked with Jean Tinguely.

The interviews focus on the traces the artist left in the hearts and minds of those who knew him, and how his work lives on in their memories and in our contemporary world.

And also :

Guided Tour (F) : “A la découverte de Jean-Tinguely”

Two passionate storytellers will take you on a journey through the city of Fribourg in the footsteps of Jean Tinguely. Jean Tinguely’s life, his character, his adventures and anecdotes from Fribourg and beyond can be discovered in the streets of Fribourg.

From April through October, you can join this public storytelling tour (dates to be announced).

Guided Tour (F) « Jean, Niki et Fribourg »

This tour focuses on the mythical couple Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle. You’ll travel back in time in the company of various artists who worked in three dimensions. The wealth of art they left behind is impressive.

Public tours beginning November 2025 (dates to be announced)

City Game by Les Frères Brigands

Starting this summer, pick up our adventure kit and go on a mission in the city of Fribourg. With Jean Tinguely as your guide, you will solve puzzles for all ages, individually or in small groups.

12 projects supported by the City of Fribourg

In order to create this annual program and to keep Jean Tinguely’s dream and memory alive, the City of Fribourg’s Department of Culture launched a call for ideas in the summer of 2024. It was open to anyone who wished to pay tribute to one facet or another of this emblematic personality. The terms of reference were broad, allowing for all forms of artistic practice (performance, installation, workshop, exhibition, etc.). The City of Fribourg’s Department of Culture will be happy to answer any questions you may have about these projects.

To find out more about all the projects we have supported, visit www.ville-fribourg.ch/tinguely100