In the Suite 101 article What is Kinetic Art?, a brief history of the genre is provided, and some tentative answers to the question: “why do artists express themselves in this way?” This article explores the current state of the avant-garde mode of expression in New Zealand.
The country’s best known kinetic artist is Len Lye, whose archives and studio collection are held at the Govett-Brewster Gallery in New Plymouth, but whose works can also be found in outdoor urban locations. A contemporary film-maker as well as sculptor who is exhibited in international venues such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Art Institute of Chicago, Lye’s creative output spanned more than half a century.
Among his many kinetic works, mostly of motorised stainless steel, are Blade (1976, modified 1987), and Grass (1965). Lye said that his motivation was to communicate the relationship of sculpture to the body: “every act we enact, we enact kinetically”.
Earth, Light and Sculpture
Kinetic artists take an interest in the interplay of their work with observers and with the environment. As a consequence, kinetic art often has a social message. For example, New Zealand artist Andrew Drummond built a series of kinetic sculptures on the theme of coal and coal mining.
Drummond has also installed sculptures in public spaces in the city of Wellington. One of these is Tower of Light, a device of steel, electrical control systems and neon rings, that allows passers-by to read wind-speed through colour. As erratic and strong winds have such an impact on the lives of people in the harbour city, Drummond’s work of kinetic art has “not only has a visual role, but…a social role”.
Kinetic Art and Celebrating Heritage
At the inaugural Takitimu Festival to be held in Hastings, New Zealand in November, 2008, one of the feature attractions will be a kinetic art trail, illuminated at night, surrounding the festival village. (Takitimu is a major grouping of Maori iwi associated with the sea-going vessel of the same name that transported ancestors to New Zealand). The kinetic art trail will be part of a celebration hosted by Ngati Kahungunu iwi and will bring together more than a thousand artisans, musicians and performers.
Kinetic Art and the Next Generation
Earlier in 2008, international expert on kinetic art Guy Brett completed a six week residency at Victoria University in Wellington as the Art History Programme’s Clark Collection Critic/Curator in Residence. Brett is known for staging the exhibition Force Fields: Phases of the Kinetic (2000) at the Hayward Gallery in London. Exploring links between motion, space and time, this major show featured more than 100 paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations and films by a wide range of kinetic artists.
According to university and Wellington City Council web sources, while in New Zealand Brett was able to pursue his research interests, (which include Len Lye), and gave a number of public talks around the country. Such initiatives illustrate the continuing appreciation of and potential for growth of kinetic art in New Zealand.
