'Out of Order' - Michael Landy's kinetic art on show in Basel
Political criticism that is both stinging and humorous is a specialty of artist Michael Landy. The Museum Tinguely in Basel is now showing the first retrospective of the British artist.
Mechanical portrait of a saint
When pressed, a pointer finger touches a male torso: All of Michael Landy's kinetic sculptures require that the viewer set them in motion. "Doubting Thomas" alludes to Saint Thomas, who was haunted by doubts on Christ's resurrection - until Jesus invited him to touch his wounds.
Looking up to Jean Tinguely
Michael Landy never ceased to admire Swiss artist Jean Tinguely (1925-1991), whom he saw as an artistic role model. It's hardly surprising then that mechanical sculptures are an important part of Landy's oeuvre. It's certainly not a coincidence that Landy's first retrospective takes place in a Basel museum devoted to Tinguely.
Criticizing consumerism with flowers
A market stall overloaded with colorful flowers, surrounded by empty stalls and fruit boxes - with installations like these, Michael Landy aimed to criticize present-day consumerism. His critical attitude led him to destroy his entire property, shocking the art world.
Saint Catherine nods at the push of a button
When Michael Landy was working at London's National Gallery, he created mechanical portraits of famous saints of the Middle Ages, interpreting them in a modern fashion. When a viewer presses the right button, Saint Catherine responds by nodding her head.
The artist and his tools
Glue, scissors and paper are among Michael Landy's main artistic tools. The artist and the curator have placed this work table in the middle of the exhibition hall. The intended message is that art isnever still, but permanently in motion.
Drawings of friends
Also shown in the exhibition are simple and straightforward drawings of friends and relatives. Walking through the exhibition resembles a voyage through time with a lot of surprises.
An artistic expression of fate
Michael Landy even turned the sad fate of his own father into a piece of art. He was badly injured during a work-related accident in 1977, which left him handicapped for the rest of this life. Landy reconstructed his parents' house, filmed it and produced a drawing of his father's limbs were had not been injured, including this hand.
Man at the center
Arrows striking a male torso - this work focuses on humanity. Landy's art was frequently political in nature. The 53-year old belonged to the "Young British Artists" collective, which shocked the art world during the Thatcher era with controversial activities.
The end of credit cards
Michael Landy, always communicative and ready to explain his work, talks about one of his kinetic sculptures, the "Credit Card Destroying Machine." The Museum Tinguely in Basel has staged the first retrospective of the British artist as a voyage through time, entitled "Out of Order."
The Museum Tinguely prepares for its 20th anniversary
The Museum Tinguely is located in the idyllic Park Solitude in Basle. The oeuvre of Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, who was a pioneer of kinetic art, has found a permanent home in the museum. It will celebrate its 20th anniversary after the current exhibition "Michael Landy. Out of Order" will have ended on September 25, 2016.