Scream Machines: Art Ghost Train

“Scream Machines”, a large-scale installation designed by British artist Rebecca Moss and Swiss artist Augustin Rebetez, takes visitors on a short journey through an immersive artistic landscape. The installation pays homage to “Le Crocrodrome de Zig et Puce”, a work by Jean Tinguely created in 1977 in collaboration with Bernhard Luginbühl, Daniel Spoerri, and Niki de Saint Phalle for the opening of the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

To mark the inauguration of the Centre Pompidou in 1977, the artists created “Le Crocrodrome de Zig et Puce” — a vast, walk-in sculpture installed in the museum’s large entrance hall. It featured a specially designed ghost train, rods and wheels, a marble run, illuminated lettering, a Musée Sentimental, and even a crocodile leg entirely covered in chocolate.

To celebrate the anniversary, Museum Tinguely is reviving this landmark project by initiating the temporary artistic transformation of an existing ghost train: the “Wiener Prater Geisterbahn”, built in 1935. A regular feature at the Basel Autumn Fair for many years, the ride has thrilled generations of passengers, young and old alike.