Len Lye Rethink Needed

Herb from Frankleigh Park

Waste is waste. Whether it is food waste, waste of money or wasted opportunities in the end it all amounts to the same thing. The other day I had a hair cut at Tim’s Barber Shop at Moturoa. Now as everybody knows it is at barber shops and hair dressing salons that many of the world’s problems are solved; at least in theory. As Tim lightly micro pruned my thinning top somehow we got onto the topic of how to breath new life into the Len Lye mausoleum to justify it’s $4.5mill annual running costs. Tim floated the idea of using Old Len as a foundation stone on which to build a Kinetic Art Centre, which attracts local, national and as its stature grows international kinetic artists to exhibit their creations . One of its prime functions would be a multi faceted annual competition for kinetic artists and the best of the entries would be on display at the Len Lye Centre, other venues around town and open space depending on suitability. It could well become the only centre in the world with such a clear kinetic art focus.

For a blue print of its potential one needs to look no further than the annual “Wearable Arts Show” in Wellington that has gone global and attracts thousands who inject millions into Wellington’s coffers. However, having all fresh new art works every year and some of them displayed throughout the year at the Len Lye would make this facility a much more financially successful destination than a one or two week extravaganza. The more I think about it the more possibilities come to the fore.

Sadly, I see little point in discussing this with the Len Lye people as they are the first colony that have settled on another planet. As unanointed pedestrians I doubt that either of us would even get an audience. Clearly if this idea has merit than the initiative needs to come from the District Council since it is the rate payers that stomp up the $4.5million annually for what even one of its most ardent supporters now calls “boring”. This gives the council plenty of persuasive clout to demand changes for a better return on our investment. Let me emphasise that I am only the conduit, Tim is the idea’s source. Please, pay him a visit to give him your support. If nothing else you will get a good hair cut.

The recent news that there will be one new kinetic art piece next year and one each in the following two years is quite frankly underwhelming. Call it a minimalistic tomb or simply wasted space this place needs a serious rethink to open up its true potential as a vibrant kinetic art centre.


Cheers

Herb