Niki de Saint Phalle: Life & Work 1962–1970
In February 1962, Niki and Tinguely visit California and view Simon Rodia's Watts Tower in south Los Angeles. Niki and Tinguely travel around California, Nevada, and Mexico, participating in exhibits and happenings.
Niki and Tinguely move to an old country inn outside of Paris. Niki begins creating figurative reliefs — confrontational depictions of women, some giving birth, as well as dragons, monsters, and brides.
Inspired by the pregnancy of Larry Rivers' wife Clarice in 1965, Niki makes her first Nanas, archetypal female figures which are updated versions of "Every(wo)man." (The word "nana" is French for "dame" or "chick.") For the first exhibit of Nanas, Niki's first artist book is published. This develops into another of Niki's prolific art forms: hand-lettered graphic works in the form of invitations, posters, books, and other writings.
In 1966, Niki collaborates on Hon (Swedish for "she") for the Moderna Museet, Stockholm. The outer form of Hon is a building-size giant reclining Nana with an interior environment entered from between her legs. This piece garners worldwide attention and intensifies her desire to build her own sculpture garden.
Niki works with Tinguely on Le Paradis Fantastique, a commission for the French Pavilion at Expo '67 in Montreal. Working on Le Paradis Fantastique, she is exposed to the toxic fumes of polyester resin. This and other materials used in her work cause severe damage to her lungs, resulting in recurrent health problems.
Niki designs Nana inflatables, a multiple in plastic that are produced and distributed in the United States.
