A series of exhibitions and events across Europe and the US in 2025 mark the centenary of Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, known for his Dadaist kinetic sculptures that often self-destruct. Key shows include a focus on his relationship with Eva Aeppli at the Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg, and two major exhibitions on his partnership with Niki de Saint Phalle at Hauser & Wirth Somerset and the Grand Palais in Paris. The Museum Tinguely in Basel has commissioned artists Rebecca Moss and Augustin Rebetez to create a new installation inspired by Tinguely's work.
Tinguely's legacy remains relevant as institutions grapple with the challenge of preserving his mechanically complex, often self-destructive artworks. The centenary also highlights the complicated personal and artistic relationships that shaped his career, particularly with Aeppli and de Saint Phalle, whose collaborative works are being reexamined. The events underscore how Tinguely's obsession with transformation and movement continues to resonate in contemporary art and conservation debates.