On May 22, 2025, the world commemorated the 100th birthday of Swiss artist Jean Tinguely (1925-1991). To celebrate, his inventive, whimsical, and still-relevant body of work will be honored globally through various exhibitions and events. One highlight is Scream Machines at Museum Tinguely in Basel, a large-scale installation by British artist Rebecca Moss and Swiss artist Augustin Rebetez. Built around a ghost train over 90 years old, this immersive artwork takes visitors on a captivating journey through a dynamic artistic landscape. The installation pays tribute to Le Crocrodrome de Zig et Puce, a 1977 collaborative piece by Tinguely, Bernhard Luginbühl, Daniel Spoerri, and Niki de Saint Phalle, created for the Centre Pompidou’s opening in Paris.
For the Pompidou’s 1977 debut, the artists crafted Le Crocrodrome de Zig et Puce, a massive walk-in sculpture featuring a custom ghost train, rods, wheels, a marble run, glowing signage, a ‘Musée Sentimental,’ and a chocolate-covered crocodile leg. To honor Tinguely’s centennial, Museum Tinguely is reimagining this concept by transforming the historic Wiener Prater Geisterbahn, a 1935 ghost train long featured at the Basel Autumn Fair, delighting generations of riders.
Rebecca Moss and Augustin Rebetez have designed a unique course for this Tinguely-inspired ghost train, blending their original creations with new elements. The art ghost train will run from May 22 (Tinguely’s birthday) to August 30 (Tinguely’s death anniversary) 2025 in Solitude Park, outside Museum Tinguely, during museum hours. A ride costs 4 CHF. Opening times during Art Basel 2025: 9 am – 7 pm.
