Programmes
Primary and Intermediate School Programme
All primary and intermediate school programmes are led by Gallery educators and take place in the gallery spaces, with hands-on activities in the Learning Centre when time allows. The descriptions below indicate what you can expect from each session; each programme can be customised for your class age group and area of focus – simply chat with our team today.
gbeducation@govettbrewster.com
06 759 0858
Educator Rebecca Fawkner with students in the Learning Centre
Kaiako Jess Marshall talks with students about tukutuku patterns
Students heading into the Todd Energy Learning Centre
Educator Chris Barry talks with students about creation and volcanoes with Len Lye's paintings
Shawn Matuku with Len Lye's kinetic sculpture Fountain III
Edie and Jasper Rhodes with Hany Armanious installation Selflok
Frankley School students heading into the Todd Energy Learning Centre
Educator Rebecca Fawkner with students in the Learning Centre
Fitzroy School and Len Lye's Fountain
Collage
Frankley School students making poi with a 'caring for water' message
Emerson and Isaac Martin and Braydon Baker with Len Lye's Universe
Screen printing
Primary and Intermediate
Exhibitions and programmes
The learning available from contemporary art and that of Len Lye reaches across the curriculum. Choose from programmes based solely on Len Lye’s art or combine artists and exhibitions. Book an introductory Len Lye session, or one of the programmes described below. Alternatively select a focus from the list below and we will create a tour and workshop to meet your needs.
Len Lye areas of focus include:
Science – motion, light, properties of materials
Performing arts – music and dance
Sculpture process
Creativity and innovation – wearable arts
Sensing Len Lye – great for Special Needs classes of all ages
Kinetic kapa haka – combine the science of movement, Te reo Māori and poi
Tuia – Encounters 250
In 2019 The Govett- Brewster joins in the national commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the first onshore encounters between Māori and non-Māori, and the feats of Polynesian navigators and explorers who reached and settled in Aotearoa New Zealand many years earlier. Exhibitions and programmes are planned to support schools in the aims of exploring the multiple histories that formed our nation and to talk about our rich histories and our national identity.
In Term 1 we kick off with Maureen Lander: Flat-Pack Whakapapa exhibition described below and culminate in a major exhibition by the Gallery's 2019 Artist in Residence Brett Graham.
Introducing Len Lye
Science/Visual Art/Dance/Music/Technology
Ongoing
All year levels, 60 mins +
What can we learn from Len Lye? Experience the multi-sensory exhibitions through interactive activities adaptable to your students’ learning needs and level. Find out how Len Lye came up with his ideas and what made his art special. Then make your own Len Lye inspired artwork. See Len Lye: Group Therapy and Len Lye: Wand Dance for relevant exhibition information.
At school
Find out about Len Lye here
Pictures that move
Visual Art/Science: Physical world/Technology
Ongoing
Y 5 – 8, 90 mins
Discover how old school animation works and give it a go. What makes Len Lye’s films still cool today? We go to the flicks, viewing Len Lye’s abstract films to discover how image, movement and sound are combined to create an illusion. Students analyse animation techniques and use gallery zoetropes (animation viewing devices) to create their own moving image. BYO your class video camera, phone or ipad to record students’ animations.
At school
View Len Lye’s films online or the Colour Box DVD available from the Govett-Brewster Shop or loan from the Gallery educators.
Download the Len Lye: Abstract Animation resource here.
Creativity and innovation challenge - structures
Science/Visual Art/Technology
1 Dec 2018 – 18 Mar 2019
Y 5 – 8, 90 mins
We tour the Len Lye kinetic sculpture exhibitions Group Therapy and Wand Dance with a focus on creativity and problem solving. We discover the problems Len Lye overcame when constructing his sculptures then activate our own creativity and problem solving skills. In the learning centre student groups invent a sound and movement activity centre for younger gallery visitors. The groups test each other’s design outcomes.
BYO your class ipad or phone to photo students’ designs.
At school
What are some Taranaki examples of problem solving?
How did traditional Māori use technology?
What makes a good playground? How could your school playground be improved?
Make a sense trail around your classroom
Who am I and where do I come from?
Visual art/ Ngā toi/ Te Reo Māori
1 Dec 2018 – 18 Mar 2019
Y 1 – 8, 90 mins
Discover how raranga (weaving) and family history go together. We delve into the symbolism and meanings in Maureen Lander’s project Flat-Pack Whakapapa and investigate how an artist uses ancient weaving techniques in new ways.
In the Learning Centre we then weave our own whanau/community stories into a wearable korowai.
This programme connects well with Puke Ariki’s Te Toi Raranga programme.
At school
Find out more about Maureen Lander’s art at
http://www.dowse.org.nz/exhibitions/detail/maureen-lander-flat-pack-whakapapa
What is whakapapa and why is it important?
Explore your own family tree and present it visually
Ask at home about family history stories and photographs, then share your story with the class
Prepare you own pepeha
What is DNA? How does it work?
Invite a member of your community to come to school to demonstrate a weaving technique
How do maths and weaving/tukutuku combine? eg. Patterns, tessellations, nets, sequence
Weave a star out of harakeke or paper
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/blogs/post/maori-stars-whetu/
Find out about Pacific Islands weaving styles, materials and traditions
Make your own natural dyes by pounding charcoal, spices, lichens etc
Make crayon rubbings and printing from woven patterns
Trick of the eye
Visual Art/Technology
1 Dec – 18 Mar
Y 4 – 8, 90 mins
How do you transform light and movement into solid form? How do you draw with light? How do artists do this? We investigate then give it a go. Your visit starts with warped wonky selfies in the Len Lye Centre’s reflective exterior then the enquiry continues into the mysterious world of Haegue Yang: Triple Vita Nestings.
We wonder at the light drawings of microscopic marine life in Jacqueline Elley: Luxoplasts then get to the bottom of the science behind the illusions of the Len Lye spinning ‘tangible motion’ sculptures. In the Learning Centre we gather our ideas together and create our own mini sculpture in an LED after-image light experiment
This lesson links well with Puke Ariki’s Illusions exhibition.
At school
Find out who Len Lye was
https://govettbrewster.com/len-lye/
Learn how ‘persistence of vision’ in animation works
Watch Len Lye’s experimental films as examples
https://govettbrewster.com/media/files/len_lye_animation_resource.pdf
Find out about other types of art that show the science of motion and optics:
2D art that tricks the eye
https://www.tate.org.uk/kids/explore/what-is/op-art
Art that moves
https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/k/kinetic-art
Capture shadows and reflections on grey paper by setting up still life arrangements in low light
Boost your paint skills
Visual Art/Technology
1 Dec – 18 Mar
Y 4 – 8, 90 mins
We get a taste of the strange and wonderful world of Korean artist Haegue Yang. The Triple Vita Nestings exhibition will be a hit with young audiences and includes fascinating anthropomorphic sculpture, audio works, and a surprising use of venetian blinds.
We also sway our way into Len Lye’s world of movement and sound in the Len Lye: Group Therapy and Wand Dance exhibitions.
During our tour we discover new techniques and tips to capture light and shade, texture and movement. We put these new skills into practice in the Learning Centre by making our own brush and get painting strange.
At school
Familiarise students with Haegue Yang’s art, google her sculpture.
Construct masks from recycled fibres and plastics
Invent fantasy creature puppets inspired by different cultures, tell a story with an environmental message.
Make brushes to use out of different materials, leather offcuts, fabric
Capture shadows and reflections on grey paper by setting up still life arrangements in low light.
Outdoor art
Visual Art/Ngā toi/Te Reo
1 Dec –18 Mar
Y 5 – 8 120 mins
Tour New Plymouth’s CBD murals then design a school mural with an environmental message.
Planning an artwork for your school? Meet a Gallery educator in Huatoki Plaza to collect mural and/or sculpture ideas and gain an understanding of the problems in designing a public artwork. Walk together up to the Len Lye Centre to visit Kureitanga II IV and gather ideas on how artists can communicate using abstract art techniques. We practise Te Reo linked to ngā toi and in the Learning Centre groups create designs with an environmental or community message. Students collage their designs onto a school wall/playground photo to plan their mural/sculpture. Teachers, prior to your visit please email a photo of a recognisable empty school wall to gbeducation@govettbrewster.com
At school
View artist WharehokaSmith’s online interview
Secondary School Programme
Secondary school visits to the Govett-Brewster are most successful when teachers and Gallery educators collaborate. To inspire your programme we can shape a lesson tailored specifically for your students from Year 9 +.
Secondary art teachers taking part in the Gallery schools programme consistently praise the sessions as relevant and thought provoking.
“Keep up the good work. Activities engaged students’ perceptions about visual art and oral aspects of art." - high school art teacher
Educator Chris Barry and students with Amanda Gruenwald's paintings. Photo Sam Hartnett
Students and educator Chris Barry with WharehokaSmith's Kureitanga II IV
Brittany Glassey with her 2016 Top Art folio
Ethan, Shawn and Liam Matuku with Tom Kreisler's Old and New
Students with Jeena Shin's painting. Photo Sam Hartnett
Secondary
Selected exhibition themes are described by curriculum area and can be developed into a tour which includes worksheets, creative group activities or extended in the Learning Centre into workshops. Focus on visual art with teacher input, go cross-curricula, with architecture, materials technology, performing arts, and wider social contexts such as the functions of contemporary art and the role of museums including cultural tourism.
Tuia – Encounters 250
In 2019 The Govett- Brewster will join in the national commemorations of the 250th anniversary of the first onshore encounters between Māori and non-Māori, and the feats of Polynesian navigators and explorers who reached and settled in Aotearoa New Zealand many years earlier. Exhibitions and programmes are planned to support schools in the aims of exploring the multiple histories that formed our nation and for New Zealanders to talk about our rich histories and our national identity.
In late Term 4 and Term 1 we kick off with the Maureen Lander: Flat-Pack Whakapapa exhibition and culminate in a major exhibition by Brett Graham.
Junior secondary school art expedition
Until 18 Mar
InfoTalk to us to plan a fun gallery visit that inspires your students to continue art at school.
Students can:
Enter the mysterious and wonderful world of Korean artist Haegue Yang in the exhibition Triple Vita Nestings.
Wonder over the fascinating light drawings of local artist Jacqueline Elley in Luxoplasts.
Explore how Māori tradition and contemporary art meet in Maureen Lander’s Flat-Pack Whakapapa exhibition.
Experience the sights, sounds and science of Len Lye’s captivating kinetic sculpture in Wand Dance and Group Therapy.
Talk Art
Ongoing
InfoCan your students say more about art other than whether they like it or not? This general introduction to the exhibitions gives students confidence and skills to analyse art through discussion and instant activities.
Media Studies
Info
How did cameraless movies work? What makes Len Lye’s films still so cool? Inspired by innovative approaches to filmmaking and the stimulating exhibitions, students deepen their knowledge of where film came from through a variety of hands-on options including zoetrope drawings, experiments with OHP colour projections and a ‘direct’ film workshop.
The Gallery’s state-of-the-art 60-seat cinema shows experimental film, arthouse and cult films and film festival programming. Special screenings can be arranged by appointment. Please contact Gallery educators for further information or find out what’s on here.
Direct film workshop
Inspired by Len Lye’s direct films students use cameraless hand animation techniques to learn how to create their own whole class 16mm ‘direct’ film. No cost, contact Gallery educators for details.
Exploring Len Lye
Visual Art/Dance
Ongoing
All year levels, 60 mins +
What can we learn from Len Lye? Introduce your students to the wonders of Len Lye’s art and the acclaimed architecture of the Len Lye Centre. Experience the multi-sensory exhibitions through interactive activities adaptable to your students’ learning needs and level. See Len Lye: Group Therapy and Len Lye: Wand Dance for relevant exhibitions.
At school
Find out about Len Lye at http://www.govettbrewster.com/len-lye/
Māori Studies
Ongoing
All year levels
The artwork Kureitanga II IV provides students with a challenging context to practise Te Reo, learn about the Taranaki waiata Pērā Hoki and see how contemporary artist WharehokaSmith re-interprets a traditional waiata.
At school
View WharehokaSmith’s online interview
Sculpture, technology and society
1 Dec – 18 Mar
InfoFocus on sculpture or with teacher input, go cross-curricula, with architecture, materials technology, and wider social contexts such as the functions of contemporary art and the role of museums including cultural tourism.
See Len Lye: Wand Dance and Len Lye: Group Therapy for exhibition details. Students experience and analyse Lye’s sculptures in terms of scale, material properties, motion and energy transfer. Team up with a materials tech teacher and plan a combined class visit.
Te Reo Māori
Karanga atu ki a koutou ki raro i te maru o te maunga tītohea; he pou here tangata, he pou here waka, he pou here kaupapa.
Ko Jess Marshall tōku ingoa. He Pākehā ahau nō Taranaki e ngākau nui ana ki te ao Māori. Ko au te kaiako hou ki te Whare Toi o Ngāmotu.
Warm greetings to you all. My name is Jess Marshall and I'm the new Te Reo educator at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre.
Nau mai, haere mai, rarau mai!
The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre welcome kura kaupapa and bilingual classes to all exhibitions.
Contact the Gallery educators to discuss how visits can enhance language and hands-on learning needs.
gbeducation@govettbrewster.com
06 759 0858
Kaiako Jess Marshall demonstrating
With Para Matchitt's Whakapapa IV
Learning about tukutuku patterns
Glow poi
With Para Matchitt's Whakapapa IV
With WharehokaSmith's Kureitanga II IV
Direct filmmaking
