In a shallow pool 19 cm deep, 16 m wide and 19 m long, cast in black mastic asphalt the artist placed nine black figures driven by low-voltage current that spout water as they move. These nine iron eminences cheerfully converse with one another like the mimes, actors and dancers once did on the stage at this exact spot.
Jean Tinguely (22 May 1925 in Fribourg, Switzerland – 30 August 1991 in Bern) was a Swiss painter and sculptor. With this fountain the he endowed Basel with a new landmark. Regardless of the weather, the fountain site is always thronged with people being animated to picnic or moved to strike up a conversation with a stranger.
This work of art has become part of the life of Basel’s inhabitants in a way few other objects have.
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