Len Lye Centennial Symposium At Auckland Uni

Len Lye Centennial Symposium To Be Held At The University Of Auckland

2001 is the centennial of the remarkable New Zealand film-maker and artist Len Lye (born in Christchurch on 5 July 1901).

On 30 June a Len Lye Symposium will be held at the University of Auckland to celebrate Lye’s centennial and to provide opportunities for in-depth discussion of Lye’s work and ideas. A programme of films by and about Lye will also be screened.

The Len Lye Symposium is sponsored by two departments of the University of Auckland – Film, Television and Media Studies and Art History – as well as the Govett-Brewster Gallery (New Plymouth) and the Len Lye Foundation.

The Symposium organisers are Greg Burke, Wystan Curnow, Roger Horrocks, Hanna Scott and Wendy Vaigro.

Sessions Sessions will run from 9am to 4pm covering various facets of Lye’s career, his ideas on “the art of motion” and other aspects of his aesthetics, film-making, paintings, photography and kinetic sculpture (including the engineering challenges involved in realising Lye’s plans for giant versions of his work).

Speakers will include Hanna Scott, Jan White, Dr Roger Horrocks, Evan Webb, Dr Shayne Gooch and Dr Wystan Curnow.

Offers of additional papers or presentations are welcomed. Please contact Roger Horrocks: ph (09) 373-7599 x 7464; email r.horrocks@auckland.ac.nz

Film Programme From 4pm to 6pm a programme of films by or about Lye will screen. This will include some rare items never seen before in Auckland.

Venue: Conference Centre, Auckland University (22 Symonds St) Time: 9am to 6pm Fee: $25

The registration fee of $25 includes tea/coffee but not lunch (please bring your own). Pre-enrolment is essential. Please complete the form below and mail with payment to: Continuing Education The University of Auckland Private Bag 92019, Auckland

Or fax or phone with credit card details: fax (09) 373-7419, ph (09) 373-7599 x 7619 Enrolment inquiries, contact: Marie-Therese on number above or mt.millet@auckland.ac.nz

Other Centennial Activities ** A biography has just been published: "Len Lye: A Biography" by Roger Horrocks (Auckland University Press; $49.95). For more information see www.auckland.ac.nz/aup/books/lenlye.html

** An exhibition of Lye’s films, “Colour Box”, is currently showing at the New Zealand Film Archive, Wellington.

** A major Lye exhibition at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, – “The Long Dream of Waking: Len Lye Centenary 1901–2001” – will run from 30 June to 19 August.

** The Govett-Brewster has also planned a series of other Centennial events including film screenings on Sundays 15 July and 12 August, a poetry reading by Elizabeth Smither 22 July, and a celebration for Lye’s birthday (July 5). See the gallery’s web site: http://www.govettbrewster.org.nz/

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