Dance in the Gallery inspired by Len Lye’s kinetic sculptures and abstract movies. Use ribbons individually and in groups to notice and invent movement. In the Learning Centre, students combine their moves to perform a dance with a colour and light theme.

BYO your class ipad or phone to photo students’ moves.

See Len Lye: The Absolute Truth of the Happiness Acid for exhibition information.
See Len Lye: Sky Snakes for exhibition information.

At school:

 - Rework your dance moves to tell a story

 - Create an artwork that shows your dance

 - How do things move? Rework your dance to tell a story about everyday movements using poi eg. doing the laundry

 - Write a movement poem

 - Find out about the science of rainbows

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 ideas and why his art is special. Then create your own Len Lye-inspired artwork.

See Len Lye: The Absolute Truth of the Happiness Acid for exhibition information.
See Len Lye: Sky Snakes for exhibition information.

Find out more about the world of Len Lye.

How did old school animation work? What makes Len Lye’s films still cool today?

We go to the flicks 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:

Google Slide: Len Lye Style Flip Book

See Len Lye: The Absolute Truth of the Happiness Acid for exhibition information.
See Len Lye: Sky Snakes for exhibition information.

Click below to view Len Lye films online:

Tusalava

A Colour Box

The Birth of a Robot

Free Radicals

Films supplied by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Please respect the integrity of Len Lye’s artwork by not copying his films.

Download the Len Lye: Animation Resource

A compilation DVD entitled Colour Box: 19 Films by Len Lye is available from the Govett-Brewster Shop

The Candice Lin: Pigs and Poison exhibition brings to light slavery, trade and racism. In this lesson students consider how art challenges beliefs and attitudes. We respond to the exhibition and collect words to use in a personal book poem sculpture for change. This lesson is only suitable for senior primary students.

At school:

Talk about “black lives matter” and other civil rights movements.

Design a banner with a message to make the world a better place.

Practise writing your name or other words from a non-alphabet based language.

Celebrate difference – ask students from another country to talk about coming to Aotearoa.

Who was Chew Chong?

Research Chinese inventions.

Write a diary of memories linked to people or places.