Strong Government Support for New Home of Len Lye Collection

Crucial central government support announced today by the Minister for the Arts, Culture and Heritage the Hon. Christopher Finlayson is a critical step towards making the Len Lye Centre a reality.

Lance Girling-Butcher, New Plymouth District Councillor and Len Lye Committee Chairman, says the committee is delighted with the Minister’s announcement that the Len Lye Centre will receive support of $4 million over two years from the Government’s Regional Museums Policy for Capital Construction Costs.

“Along with support already pledged from other organisations including the TSB Community Trust, this means we can now go ahead with plans for the centre with confidence,” Cr Girling-Butcher says.

“This decision demonstrates huge support for New Plymouth as money from this fund is only given to organisations which hold a nationally significant collection that is of special or outstanding importance to New Zealand, and makes a substantial contribution to New Zealand's cultural heritage.”

New Plymouth District Mayor Harry Duynhoven says Len Lye was an innovative and creative New Zealander who is internationally recognised for his groundbreaking work in film and kinetic sculpture.

“With the proposed Len Lye Centre, Taranaki will have a building internationally recognised for its innovation and beauty,” Mr Duynhoven says.

After a rigorous nationwide selection process, internationally acclaimed New Zealand architectural practice Patterson Associates was chosen as the design architects for the building and will be working with local architects on the procurement phase of the project.

New Plymouth District Council Chief Executive Barbara McKerrow says: “Pattersons have designed a stunning building.

“They have recently been named by World Architecture News as one of the world’s most influential architectural firms and this building will further cement their reputation through their innovative use of stainless steel. The building will offer an outstanding contribution to New Zealand architecture and culture.”

Mrs McKerrow adds: “The completed Len Lye Centre will stand alongside other exemplary Taranaki architectural and engineering designs such as Te Rewa Rewa Bridge, Puke Ariki and Len Lye’s Wind Wand. It will confirm Taranaki’s reputation for innovation and excellence and increase Taranaki’s appeal to national and international tourists,” she says.

Mr Duynhoven says the project will have a positive impact on the region both in the short and long term.

“In the short term, jobs will be generated through the construction process and the use of local contractors and materials, specifically stainless steel and concrete. In the long term, research from independent business and economic assessment company BERL has indicated that once the centre opens, visitor numbers to the region will increase with a major flow-on benefit to the district’s economy with additional spending and more jobs in the hospitality sector,” Mr Duynhoven says.

“In our planning for the centre we have been mindful of the need for fiscal restraint. We will continue to seek corporate and private supporters to enable us to realise the final vision for the centre.”

Building of the Len Lye Centre, on the corner of Queen and Devon Streets, adjacent to the Govett-Brewster, is planned to start in late 2012, with the centre expected to open in late 2014.

Govett-Brewster Art Gallery Director Rhana Devenport says the Len Lye Centre will ensure that New Plymouth remains the world centre for the care, display, experience, research and development of the art and ideas of Len Lye.

“This inspiring building will offer permanent access to both New Zealanders and global visitors who are interested in the works of Len Lye and more generally in concepts of innovation, engineering and creativity,” Ms Devenport says.

Cr Girling-Butcher adds: “In accepting the Len Lye Collection and Archive in 1980, New Plymouth District Council became contractually obliged to care for and display these works appropriately. The Govett-Brewster, in partnership with the Len Lye Foundation, has done a brilliant job at holding regular Len Lye exhibitions as well as caring for the Len Lye Collection and Archive. However, we know that visitors to New Plymouth expect to have access to Len Lye’s work all year round. The new Len Lye Centre will ensure the Collection and Archive are stored safely and securely in order to protect them and enable easier access to items for research, educational and display purposes.”


About Len Lye

Len Lye (1901-1980) is one of the most important artists to have emerged from New Zealand. Legendary amongst experimental filmmakers, his ‘direct’ films made by painting and scratching on celluloid were part of Lye’s prescient vision for a new ‘art of movement’. His dynamic, motorised steel sculptures of the 1960s express a creative energy that Lye brought to film, painting, photography and poetry. The Len Lye Collection and Archive is housed and cared for by the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in partnership with the Len Lye Foundation. Lye's sculptures are found in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Berkeley Art Museum.

His films are held primarily at the New Zealand Film Archive in Wellington and also in archives at the British Film Institute, Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Pacific Film Archive at the University of California, Berkeley.

Lye’s 45m-high kinetic sculpture Wind Wand has featured on New Plymouth’s Coastal Walkway since 2000 and Water Whirler has featured on Wellington's waterfront since 2006.

Regional Museums Policy

The Regional Museums Policy for Capital Construction Projects is a capital construction assistance fund which prioritises those few non-central government funded museums and art galleries holding collections of the greatest national significance. To qualify for funding under the Regional Museums Policy, a museum must be able to demonstrate that it holds a nationally significant collection that is of special or outstanding significance to New Zealand and makes a substantial contribution to New Zealand's cultural heritage. Previous recipients of the fund have included the Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery, Auckland Art Gallery, Rotorua Museum, Otago Settlers Museum and Puke Ariki.

Patterson Associates

Patterson Associates are acknowledged as New Zealand’s most internationally known architects. Their projects range from complex developments and urban infrastructure through to bespoke residential homes and three-dimensional strategic thinking. Established by Andrew Patterson in 1996, the firm is committed to sustainable methodology, innovative use of materials and creating simple, beautiful projects that encourage people to engage on many levels.

Pattersons, based in Auckland, designed the Michael Hill Clubhouse in Wakatipu which was selected as one of the nine best sports and leisure buildings in the world at the Barcelona World Architecture Awards in 2008. Pattersons are also multiple recipients of The New Zealand Institute of Architects’ NZ Supreme Award for Architecture.

Another of Pattersons’ recent projects, the Geyser building in Auckland, has achieved New Zealand’s first six Green Star - Office Design certified rating. Six stars signify world leadership in sustainability.

Patterson Associates was named in May 2011 by prestigious publication World Architecture News in their 21 for 21 program as one of five selected international architectural practices that are “set to shape the future of architecture in the 21st Century”.

Renowned New Zealand architect Sir Miles Warren, often cited as the father of New Zealand architecture has said “Pattersons have designed a stunning building, a superb concept worthy to house and enhance Len Lye’s work”.


Len Lye Centre

The Len Lye Centre is a partnership between New Plymouth District Council, the Len Lye Foundation and the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. It will be run as a combined facility with the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and will offer a unique and complimentary programme of exhibitions and public engagement. The centre and gallery will share management team and operating costs as well as facilities such as the education suite and commercial facilities such as the art and design shop and cafe.