The Long Dream of Waking

Recognized internationally as one of the twentieth century’s great modernist innovators, New Zealand artist Len Lye is most famous for his avant-garde experimental films and for his astonishing and playful kinetic sculptures. Always fascinated by the interplay of movement and light, this extraordinary artist also expressed himself in photography, drawing, painting and poetry. And thanks to this collection of essays, we too can be drawn into his long dream and come to see his remarkable achievements through fresh eyes.

Paul Brobbel is the Len Lye Curator at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre, and former Assistant Collection Manager (Photography) at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand. Wystan Curnow is a Professor Emeritus of the University of Auckland. He is an art critic, poet, curator and editor. He is a trustee of the Len Lye Foundation. Roger Horrocks is a Professor Emeritus of the University of Auckland. He worked as Len Lye’s assistant during the last year of his life, and became his biographer. He is a trustee of the Len Lye Foundation.