9 May 2019

NZ Biography: Len Lye

From Afternoons, 2:20 pm on 9 May 2019

Len Lye in his studio in 1958. Photo: Len Lye Foundation Collection / Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

Almost all of Len Lye's creative work was created overseas but his impact on the artworld can be understood by tracing his New Zealand roots.

Len was a forward-thinking painter, sculptor and filmmaker who was concious of how future generations would interact with his work. Roger Horrocks is Len's biographer and his a filmmaker in his own right. He joins Jesse to talk about the man who's life is the key to his work.

Len Lye A Colour Box 1935. Courtesy of the Len Lye Foundation and the British Postal Museum and Archive. From material preserved by the BFI National Archive and made available by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision

4095 Len Lye in studio 1958 unknown photographer Courtesy Len Lye Foundation Collection Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

Len Lye at University of California Berkeley 1966. Courtesy Len Lye Foundation

Len Lye Fire Bush 1961 (2007 reconstruction. Courtesy the Len Lye Foundation Collection, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

Len Lye making film 2 - sent by Roger Horrocks - May 2014

Len Lye Bell Wand 1965 (2011 reconstruction). Courtesy the Len Lye Foundation Collection, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

Len Lye A Colour Box 1935 4min 35mm Dufaycolour 10.JPG

Len Lye Bell Wand 2011 Photo Bryan James.JPG

Len Lye Waterwhirler-TimGruchy-A459-0149

Len Lye Rotating Harmonic 1959 (2010 reconstruction). Courtesy the Len Lye Foundation Collection, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery

The Birth of a Robot 1936 still Courtesy LLF and Shell Global 2

Len Lye Water Whirler 1961 (2006 reconstruction). Courtesy the Len Lye Foundation. Photo Tim Gruchy

Len Lye Fountain III 1977. Govett-Brewster Collection. Photo Bryan James

The Birth of a Robot 1936 still Courtesy LLF and Shell Global 3

The Birth of a Robot 1936 still Courtesy LLF and Shell Global

The Birth of a Robot 1936 still Courtesy LLF and Shell Global 4