Architect Andrew Patterson designed the Len Lye Centre, which cost $13.5 million.
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The concrete and shimmering steel curves of New Plymouth’s Len Lye Centre will be reflected in music on Saturday, when the NZ Symphony Orchestra plays a new work capturing the spirit and form of the gallery to mark its 10th anniversary.
Australian artist and composer Mia Salsjö has created Score for the Len Lye Centre in response to the striking building, and as a tribute to the New Zealand artist famed for his experimental films and kinetic artworks.
Curator Anna Briers said the concept was a perfect match for Lye, whose own work so often featured sound as a key element.
“She has sonophied, if you like, the glimmering architectural contours of the building,” Briers said. “She’s responding to its materials, she’s responding to its mathematical spacial dimensions by drawing on architectural plans.”
There was also a feast for the eyes.
“Mia has made a thousand graphic scores,” she said. “A graphic score is like a visual representation of sound, so it’s got 360 drawings on the walls of the gallery.”
After the weekend’s celebrations, the Salsjö score would also feature in an audio installation at the centre.
Architect Andrew Patterson designed the Len Lye Centre, which was built for $13.5 million sourced from corporate and private donors, and central government grants.
He was thrilled at the idea of it being set to music.
“The artist took all of our CAD drawings and found the rhythms in them,” Patterson said. “The music is generated parametrically from the actual plans for the building, but you know, a lot of people refer to architecture as frozen music, so I think it’s fantastic.”
The Len Lye Centre was New Zealand’s first contemporary art museum dedicated to a single artist and Patterson was rapt at how the centre was holding up.
Len Lye donated his collection to New Plymouth, when he died in 1980.
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“It looks impervious to the elements and to age,” he said. “It’s built to last, I mean, there’s no reason that the building won’t last for hundreds and hundreds of years, as long as the stainless steel is washed down with the same frequency, as if it was glass.”
Founding member of the Len Lye Foundation, John Matthews, was a long-time friend of Lye, who donated his collection to New Plymouth on his death in 1980.
“He was a visionary full of ideas and he had huge frustrations in life in trying to achieve his ideas, so we’ve fulfilled that purpose for him.”
Long time friend of Len Lye, John Matthews, says the artist was a visionary who’d be thrilled to see his ‘temple’ to the arts thriving.
Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Matthews reckoned Lye would be chuffed to see the centre thriving.
“It’s his temple, he’d love it absolutely. You could go all around the world looking at buildings and you won’t see one of these.”
The Len Lye Centre, which attracted about 85,000 visitors a year, was often criticised locally for its $71,000 weekly running costs, but most people RNZ spoke to on Devon Street were fans.
Christine thought it was a “one off”.
“I think it’s amazing. I think we are really, really lucky to have it here in New Plymouth.”
Michael had similar thoughts.
Len Lye Fountain III kinetic sculpture at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.
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“I think it’s a beautiful building really. I feel quite proud of it, being a resident of this lovely city.”
A woman, who preferred not to give her name, had reservations.
“I love the building, but I think they need a few more exhibits in there. It’s a little bit sparsely populated.”
John had paid attention.
“They’ve polished it up nicely from the last time I saw it. Yeah, really polished it up – I think it’s a bit too bright.”
Josh had an interesting observation.
“It’s a bit hard to drive past. It’s just like a big mirror, but it’s not even straight.”
Aucklander Anjini had just visited the centre.
“It’s wonderful, it’s fascinating.”
A man who wanted to remain anonymous was a fan.
“It’s a pretty amazing building to look at and it’s a bit of an icon within the community, isn’t it?”
Anthony could see the financial upside.
“I think it’s a great investment for the city and a lot of people come here to visit it. Yeah, it’s awesome.”
Wayne was on the same page.
“It’s quite unique for New Plymouth and, yeah, it’s cool.”
Free public performances of A Score for the Len Lye Centre take place at the gallery on Saturday at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm.
Fact file
- The Len Lye Centre was opened in June 2015
- Designed by Patterson Architects, its $13.5 million construction cost was raised from corporate, private philanthropy and central government donors
- The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery opened in 1970, funded by a bequest from local woman Monica Brewster (nee Govett)
- About 85,000 people visit the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre each year
- The gallery presents a regularly changing programme of contemporary art exhibitions, events and conversations
- Regular education and learning programmes are offered to visitors of all ages
- It also runs an art and design store, independent cinema and publishes a range of art books
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