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Len Lye: Motion Composer at the Museum Tinguely
Despite challenges in the Arts, the last 3 or so years have been particularly productive for the Foundation. The following news items are a review of some of the exhibitions, new sculptures, research and publications during this period.
‘Len Lye: Motion Composer’, opened at the Museum Tinguely, Basel in October 2020. It is the most comprehensive exhibition of Len’s art to be seen in Europe and featured his kinetic sculptures, films, paintings, photograms, drawings and models occupying four large galleries in the museum. The exhibition examined in detail his early work in London through to the large and yet to be realised kinetic projects.
There was a particular emphasis on Len’s films, supplied by Nga Taonga Sound and Vision in New Zealand with titles seldom seen outside of the Len Lye Centre such as ‘Ariel’s Song’ (Full Fathom Five) and ‘Pictures for Percussion’.
Twelve kinetic sculptures were shown including a newly commissioned re-construction of ‘Sky Snake’ - its previous and only public display was at the Albright Knox Gallery in Buffalo, New York in 1965. Three works were borrowed from other collections: ‘Fountain II’ from the Whitney Museum, ‘Grass’ from the Albright Knox Gallery in Buffalo NY and ‘Loop’ from the Chicago Institute of Art.
Len Lye and Jean Tinguely knew one another and this exhibition bought them together once again. The spaces resounded with the sounds of their works as if the two artists were in conversation. Beautifully displayed against velvety black walls and, as the sculptures moved, flashes of light and colour bounced around the space. The movement drew you in like an invitation to dance - which was impossible to resist! The Museum Tinguely worked wonders in bringing to life and showcasing the joy of Len's work. .
The exhibition was accompanied by a two day seminar hosted by the University of Basel with invited speakers from Europe, the US, Canada and New Zealand
Programmes of films at the local film theatre followed each day’s proceedings. The first; ‘Len Lye’s Colour Box’ was introduced by Roger Horrocks and the second; ‘Len Lye on the Home Front’ was introduced by Len Lye Curator, Paul Brobbel.
The 460 page catalogue comprises three volumes: The first, ‘Len Lye: Motion Composer Works’ lists and illustrates the works, including the films. It also includes photo reproductions of pages from Len’s book, ‘No Trouble’. A second volume is a reproduction of Len’s sketchbook, ‘Totem and Taboo’ with an essay by Roger Horrocks that gives context to the art and ideas Len explored before his move to England. The third volume, ‘Texts’ is 150 pages of essays by authors; Andres Pardey, Paul Brobbel, Ann Stephen, Megan Tamati – Quennnell, Scott Anthony, Tyler Cann, Barry Schwabsky, Wystan Curnow and Janine Randerson.
The catalogue is available to purchase here.
Falling Films (Maria Webb and Harry Knight), a new production company based in Bristol, UK, created a short documentary in the days leading up to the opening.
The film is available to watch here.
Evan Webb, Director of the Len Lye Foundation takes us for a brief tour of the exhibition and Andres Pardey, Deputy, Director of the Museum Tinguely and curator of the exhibition, explains the significance of Lye and Tinguely in modern art.
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 "Loop, pictured above, was loaned by the Chicago Institute of Art".
 "Visitors entering the exhibition seen through the rods of Fountain loaned by the Whitney Museum".
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