Basel's Kinetic Art Temple by Mario Botta

At a Glance

Museum Tinguely sits on the Rhine in Basel's Solitude Park. Designed by Mario Botta (1996) and gifted to the city by Roche, it holds the world's largest collection of Jean Tinguely's kinetic sculpture — about 140 works.

How Machines Became Art

Jean Tinguely (1925–1991) welded scrap into moving sculpture. He staged the self-destructing Homage to New York at MoMA in 1960 and co-made the Stravinsky Fountain at Centre Pompidou with Niki de Saint Phalle (1983).

Must-See

• Grosse Méta Maxi-Maxi Utopia, a 10 m lobby machine that runs on a schedule.
• Métamatics drawing machines — insert a coin and keep the print.
• Niki de Saint Phalle gallery.
• Rhine-side outdoor sculpture terrace.
• Contemporary kinetic commissions — Eliasson, Rebecca Horn.

Visiting Tips

Bus 31 from Basel city. CHF 18. 2 hours. Closed Mondays. Late afternoon light on the pink sandstone is best. One tram away from Fondation Beyeler.