B.

Len Lye was born in Christchurch in 1901. An extraordinary creative figure, his internationally renowned film-making and kinetic sculpture was complemented by his inventive painting, photography, and poetry. Lye was also famous for his colourful personality, described by fellow artist Kenneth Snelson as a ‘crazy, excited and exciting guy’. In the course of his career, Lye was part of many artist groups, including the 7&5 Society of the 1920s, the surrealist movement of the 1930s, the New York School of the 1940s and 50s, and the avant-grade kinetic art Movement Movement during the 1950s and 60s. The talk will also include samples of the artist’s film work.

Roger Horrocks is an Emeritus Professor of the University of Auckland. He’s also a filmmaker and poet and was Lye’s assistant in the last year of his life. He recently published Zizz!: The Life and Art of Len Lye, which brings together writing by Lye to chronicle the artist’s life in his own words. Roger’s earlier biography of Lye was a finalist in the 2002 National Book Awards.