Jean Tinguely, Méta, drawing and vinyl record within book presented in a briefcase portfolio, 1973

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Méta, 1973

drawing and vinyl record within book presented in a briefcase portfolio

Jean Tinguely and K.G. Pontus Hultén, “Méta” (363 page book, presented within a briefcase-bound portfolio with handle and metal locking catch), including within: Jean Tinguely, “Meta-Matic No. 6” (coloured pencil drawing, signed along the lower edge, stamped and inscribed “Peinture exécutée en collaboration avec ‘Meta-Matic No. 6’ de Tinguely par Björn Springfeldt date “13.4.1974” lieu Stockholm” on the reverse, 12 ins x 8, tipped within the portfolio) and “Sounds Belonging to Pontus Hultén’s book on Jean Tinguely’s work, “Méta” (vinyl 33 1/3 rpm record)

12.25 × 9.5 × 1.25 in (31.1 × 24.1 × 3.2 cm) (overall)

Auction Estimate:$1,200 - $1,500

Sale date:December 8 - 15, 2020

Price Realized

$720

(including Buyer's Premium)

Provenance

Acquired directly from Walter Moos, Toronto A Private Canadian Collection

Méta is a multi-media work created by Jean Tinguely that revisits his most notable sculpture series of the late 1950s and early 60s, Métamatics. These sculptures were essentially machines that produced abstract drawings by means of a motor-driven arm that holds drawing tools against a piece of paper. The result is a random composition of lines and dots in colours chosen by the user. The drawings that the Métamatics produced resemble and purposely mimic mid-century abstraction. This 1973-74 artwork Méta is a compilation of various elements that employ this theme and technique: two abstract “méta” drawings, a book entitled “Méta” written by Tinguely and K.G. Pontus Hultén, and a vinyl record, all contained in a decorated briefcase-bound portfolio. Through this influential series of works, Tinguely not only problematised the introduction of the robotic machine into our society, but also questioned the role of the artist, the artwork and the viewer.