Messages of Farewell
A note of appreciation to you and Len for all
the things you have done for me, a studio for my painting, encouragement - and
the wonderful way you dance at the Club. Thinking of you now the great sage Len
has left the body.
Jane Boswell, New York artist
In Warwick Mr Lye kept a low profile, though
he was an exotic sight here with his gleaming bald head, white goatee, antique
green 'Ben Franklin' glasses and startlingly bright clothes.
from the obituary in The Warwick Advertiser Photo News,
No. 4971, 21 May 1980
Len Lye, an experimental artist and film maker
who pioneered in fine-art films and later won recognition for his kinetic
sculpture, died of leukemia yesterday at his home in Warwick, New York. Bald as
an egg, with a pointed goatee, Len Lye was a sprightly man who, despite his
fascination with technology, referred to himself as 'an old-brain guy who can't
even drive a car' . . .
Grace Glueck, art critic (from her obituary article about Len lye
in The New York Times, 16 May 1980)
A world without Len Lye is certainly going to
be a gloomier world for everyone who knew him. . . Every age has a few truly
great artists whose worth is known largely to a few associates and amateurs. I
believe that the foremost 'unknown' artist of our time is Len Lye. Some time, in
the next 50 years, I expect he will be generally known, admired, and loved. I am
so pleased to have had him and his work as part of my life.
Cecile Starr, film historian
For nearly 30 years, whenever I thought of Len
I thought of energy. His elbows. His fingers. His films. His sculpture. His
mind. Now I remember that old rule of physics from my schooldays: the sum total
of energy is constant.
Joan McClure
I can't believe that great free spirit has
left us. My deepest sympathy is with you. Let me also express the sorrow of the
staff of the Department of Film. A light has gone out of the world.
Eileen Bowser, Curator, Department of Film, The Museum of Modern
Art, New York
I know I'm not alone in remembering Len as a
forerunner and indeed a patron saint of what I have called the American Artburst.
Alexander Eliot, film-maker and art critic (Time, Atlantic,
etc.)
The Maoris say the skies weep when a great
spirit passes. It is raining here. Our love and thoughts are with you.
Hamish and Susan Keith
I am sad that that inventive and exciting man
is gone. I always found him totally engaging. He lived life with such verve and
humour.
Katharine Kuh, art critic
Len was undoubtedly the most purely creative
genius I was ever associated with, and I have always felt pride in the fact that
I brought him in to the old March of Time in London, and later helped him come
to the United States.
I was a sponsor for his naturalization, and I think in so doing I did the USA a
favour, rather than Len. Maybe not as many cities will claim him as they say
claimed Homer, but surely New Zealand, London and New York will long remember.
Not only for his films, but for his creative drive in other media, and in
thought itself (where he went far beyond my ability to follow him) was Len
unique. He also had charm and humour, and I was glad to believe that we were
friends despite the distances of space and time.
Richard de Rochement, film and television producer (The March
of Time former head of)