The bohemian life that reigned in Paris until the end of the '50s is gone. The artists had more time to think, to reflect; success didn't come so suddenly.

Paris is an ideal place to become informed, while Venice is a place to think and write.

Tinguely wasn't the first artist to work with machines. But others were more interested in precision, in what machines are meant to do. What made him different was the random element. He introduced the mechanical accident. He was always interested in the immaterial, in sound, smoke, speed, light, shadows.

If you come from Paris to Budapest you think you are in Moscow.

I was constantly being around artists and Bohemian types.

For me the end of the year is always a time to reflect and recharge my energies.