When I first saw the impressively wall-size my experiencewith the de Koonings at MoMA) these pieces, upon extended viewing, became more repetitious and tedious. How could that be? Video and film, just by being able to incorporate movement, should be more interesting than, say (for comparison, given the scale) a Sol LeWitt wall drawing. And it can happen: Nam June Paik, who started the whole video phenom, was a master of surprise. Christian Marclay’s film smorgsbords can keep you transfixed for, well, 24 hours.
But then not all that looks new, is new. On his Facebook page, British artist Alasdair Duncan, who I met when he was installing his exhibition at Stephanie Theodore in Bushwick, posted examples of abstract animation that offer some historical perspective. Enjoy! And thank you, Alasdaire.
Len Lye, “Trade Tattoo,” 1932, made in association with the British General :
Post Office:
Len Lye, “Color Flight,” 1937, also made in association with the British General Post Office.
John Whitney, “Catalog,”1961
John Whitney, “Matrix III,” 1972
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Okay, forgive the popular culture reference, but h...
Thank you for the nod to Len Lye. For anyone inte...
For anyone interested in Lye please have a look at the plans for the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth, New Zealand
www.govettbrewster.com/LenLye/Centre/LenLyeCentre.aspx
For anyone in the States the Whitney is currently exhibiting 'Fountain' one of Lye's kinetic sculptures or 'tangible motion sculptures' in their 'Singular Visions' exhibition.
Paul Brobbel
Assistant Curator Len Lye
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, NZ
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