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Meta-Mecano

Switzerland, November 1997
FILM, Documentary, 64 min.

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directed by
Ruedi Gerber
Written by
Ruedi Gerber
Status
In distribution

The camera follows the progress of Jean Tinguely's works, as they are dismantled for transportation from the “Verrerie” to the Museum of Basle. Filmed sequences showing these delicate and ephemeral structures “en route” to the museum are interspersed with other sequences showing their reassembly on arrival. Thus mixed, these two stages serve as a preamble to the exhibition’s inaugural party, at which the artist's works are restored to posterity. It captures perfectly the relentless tension between two states: permanence and falling into ruin. A dialogue is created between explanations provided by Swiss architect Mario Botta, and the rebellious Jean Tinguely’s own words. Civilisation and nature, spiritual and mechanical, motion and inertia are constantly at odds in this film. The magic eye of “Meta-Mecano” reveals matter and motion, machines made of mechanical gears and hammers, in their pure state. The love of Niki de Saint Phalle for Jean Tinguely, and Seppi Imhof’s devotion to the artist’s work, guarantee the presence of the great man himself throughout the film.

credits

World Premiere
November 1997
Original Version
Italian, French, English, Swiss-German, German (german subtitles),  colour, 35mm, 64 min.
Production
ZAS Film AG
Producer
directed by
Ruedi Gerber
Written by
Ruedi Gerber
Cinemato­graphy
Patrick Lindenmaier
Editing
Mirjam Krakenberger
Location Sound Mix
Dieter Lengacher

World Sales / World Rights

World Rights
ZAS Film AG

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