A Len Lye for Christchurch might be possible
In his article on the new Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth (Aug 5), Chris Moore laments that there are no public sculptures of this artist in Christchurch, the city of his birth. I agree with Chris and maybe a work can be built for the city one day.
Lye’s presence, nonetheless, is alive and well in Christchurch. The Len Lye Foundation has a long standing and productive relationship with the School of Engineering at the University of Canterbury.
For some years now, Dr Shayne Gooch has offered a programme for engineering students to study Lye’s kinetic sculptures and develop and build them to the size the artist intended. There are currently two works being developed and hopefully, one of these, built by PhD candidate Alex O’Keefe, will be shown in the city later this year.
Lye was fascinated with ‘‘movement’’ as an art form and he first experimented with film, in the 1930s, as an expression of this. His films have been shown here in film festivals and championed by local film ‘‘buffs’’ like Dr Ryan Reynolds (Theatre and Film Studies, University of Canterbury, chairman of Gap Filler). Others have acknowledged his films in their own work.
Local jazz musician Harry Harrison (CPIT School of Jazz) has produced and performed music inspired by New Zealand artists Max Gimblett, Neil Dawson, Bill Hammond and Len Lye’s film, Tusalava.
The Christchurch Art Gallery has previously shown Lye’s work both in the gallery and in Hagley Park and the gallery continues to be supportive of Lye and the work of the foundation.
A public sculpture may be possible in the future. In the meantime, visit the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth if you are up that way.
EVAN WEBB Director, Len Lye Foundation Mairehau
To what depths?
On Tuesday, I perused The Press front page in deep dismay. A brutal bashing for speaking French, the person most deeply concerned in the Art Gallery repair excluded from knowledge of the process, Dunedin celebrating its history with open day at a brothel (turns out it’s a ‘‘cool’’ heritage building). To what depths are we sinking?
But . . . the foreigner was always fair game, bureaucratic arrogance and ineptitude are as old as bureaucracy itself, the profession practised at La Maison has long been called the oldest. It’s not a case of falling below but of not rising above.
Who more unregenerate than one who wonders if the House of Pleasure is offering a special open day rate to pleasure seekers who frequent it? Not in the morning, of course.
MM DOHERTY Papanui
Rank language
Last weekend I took my 11-year-old daughter to the Once on Chunuk Bair production at Wigram. While it was extremely well acted, and a moving portrayal of the tragic events endured by the Anzacs, I was disgusted by the over use of profane language and in particular the incessant blasphemy.
While I accept that soldiers in a war setting undoubtedly swear, I don’t accept that the level of blasphemy aired was either necessary or even accurate to the historical context, bearing in mind that most New Zealanders 100 years ago were church-goers and would have shown more respect for the Lord’s name.
Additionally I was disappointed that with this level of profanity, that there was no advisory note to caution parents who might take young children.
The promoters of this otherwise excellent production have erred - children should not be subjected to such rank language.
PAT BARRETT Casebrook
Judge’s decision
How very caring of Dr Michael Gousmett to be considering the Anglican Church’s finances (Aug 6). He might recall, however, telling North and South in relation to the cathedral that their accounts showed the self-described ‘‘not wealthy’’ CPT had $180m in assets with $40m from insurance and other money to come.
He has overlooked that without the court actions by GCBT, our historic heart would have long been demolished. GCBT magnanimously offered, in effect, to fund the restoration: immediate $7m for stabilisation; fund raising management, plentiful pro bono and reduced rates work. The restoration could have been half finished by now if the bishop and CPT had not been such intransigent and cavalier ‘‘caretakers’’ of this major city treasure.
The judge’s decision that the church’s contrite return of insurance funds, illegally diverted to the transitional cathedral, was in itself sufficient penalty might well have prompted Michael to praise rather than patronise GCBT’s extremely unselfish concern for this city’s identity in the face of apparently insuperable legal odds.
ROSS GRAY Fendalton
Sumner skate park
If the majority vote was for the Sumner skate park, then doesn’t that mean the skate park gets built? How different is this to voting for a political party when the majority vote determines the party in power?
How can a member of the public sue a council for predicted losses and yet the general public can’t sue the Government for making bad decision that affect us all?
I say, let the public vote on all things that affect us including a proposed tall building on the corner of Mariner and The Esplanade. The Sumner skate park is for beginners to learn on and can be managed effectively with some community collaboration. The skate park surely can’t contribute much more noise than the roaring sea and cars cruising past.
I personally think the location is perfect and complements the Christchurch Coastal Pathway.
MARNIE KENT Sumner
Deterrent charge
Perhaps it is time to fit electronic monitoring bracelets with a small explosive charge just large enough to provide a deterrent to criminals who currently appear to consider them to be a joke.
VIC SMITH Shirley