Baluba
1961 - 1962
    Baluba
1961 - 1962
Originally, the Balubas came to life on demand in a frenetic dance. They are now destined to remain still, due to the fragility of their mechanisms.
This impertinent work, a parody of classical sculpture and modern machines, is made out of scrap metal, everyday objects and was erected on an improvised stand consisting of a petrol barrel. Taking on the aspect of fetishes dressed up for a ceremony, the Baluba series is named after a Congolese ethnie group who joined the civil war in the early 60s.
| Domain | Oeuvre en 3 dimensions | Installation avec du mouvement | 
|---|---|
| Techniques | Métal, fil de fer, objets en plastique, plumeau, baril, moteur  | 
| Dimensions | 192 x 52 x 41 cm  | 
| Acquisition | Achat, 1982  | 
| Inventory no. | AM 1981-851 | 
Currently at
Etablissement public de la Réunion des musées nationaux et du Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées, Paris (France)
as part of Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hulten, 20 June 2025 - 04 January 2026
See on the Centre Pompidou's loan map in France and worldwide
Detailed description
| Artist | 
                        Jean Tinguely
                     (1925, Suisse - 1991, Suisse)  | 
|---|---|
| Main title | Baluba  | 
| Creation date | 1961 - 1962  | 
| Domain | Oeuvre en 3 dimensions | Installation avec du mouvement | 
| Description | Assemblage  | 
| Techniques | Métal, fil de fer, objets en plastique, plumeau, baril, moteur  | 
| Dimensions | 192 x 52 x 41 cm  | 
| Acquisition | Achat, 1982  | 
| Collection area | Arts Plastiques - Contemporain  | 
| Inventory no. | AM 1981-851 |