ART IN MOTION

About

A pioneer of direct-animation, Len Lye (1901-1980) was also a highly innovative painter, photographer and poet, as well as an important figure in kinetic sculpture. In 1938, Time magazine proclaimed filmmaker, sculptor and writer Len Lye to be the English Walt Disney. History had other plans - despite being a huge influence on the animators of Disneys Fantasia (1940), Lye (originally from New Zealand) remained an experimental and seminal abstract artist/filmmaker. This exhibition shows 3 of Lyes films Colour Box (1935) Rainbow Dance (1936) and Trade Tattoo (1937). These films illustrate Lyes pioneering vision in abstract filmaking, the films were commissioned by the GPO (General Post Office) to be screened as adverts in cinemas. To counterpoint Lyes work we feature the work of 3 contemporary artists whos work engages with the same themes as Lyes.