. . . Len Lye and his Impact on Redstar309Z.
Synchronicity vs Metaphysics + Future Thinking = Unknown Potential(isms)
The wandering and experiences of a New Zealander… A New Zealander 7 generations deep… A New Zealander headstrong and decisive in actuality. Armed to the teeth as it were. On the vanguard in the deep end, many descriptions spring to my mind.
Here is a snap shot:
I get up. I film. I contemplate the majestic beauty of the Island of Samoa; all the while viewing it through my lens in 16:9 (wide screen DV format).
I go to the markets and I see the places and smiles and colours. We walk down the street in Apia. I feel the sun cleanse my soul and the city subvert my senses. All the while I’m seeking the next shot the next place the next face the next story.
Reading books in the sun after a morning shooting. Totally immersed in Samoan culture.
They show us how, what, when and where to process a pig in the ‘Traditional Samoan Way’.
A small child follows me intently watching my activities, all of four, watching me, inquisitive eyes devouring who I am; my energy; my attributes.
Later, whilst we are seated and about to indulge in the beautiful Sunday lunch that our Samoan host family has cooked for us (To’onai), the little boy appears holding a coke can to his eye, mimicking me as if he was filming like I do. I feel my eyes cloud with tears, which I hide from my hosts and colleagues that are also seated.
I laugh and think. Have I started this boy, this small wide eyed and cheeky child with the sweetest of demeanors and cheekiest character, into a life that I too have chosen – the life of an artist, a film maker, a Video Jockey (Redstar309Z) a media professional.
Later, I talk with my boss about film-making possibilities, here in Samoa. I make a comment on what I would like to see here: “A place for kids to come and learn how to make films and television, so they can find a voice and be heard by way of being trained to a professional standard which will activate their usually unheard stories, and will only bring change”.
I cast my mind back to a major influence of mine; the renowned New Zealand experimental film maker and kinetic artist Len Lye. Lye was hugely influenced by the South Pacific Islands, in particular Samoa. I feel the sense of purpose and synchronicity kick in. Who would have thought that a such a major, endearing influence on my creativity, such as Lye and his body of work would be so relevant here? Particularly his films that were based on the Samoan siapo (tapa) cloth design – Tusalava being one of my favourites.
Some 86 odd years ago, this man who is my creative hero, the man I set all my benchmarks at, would have potentially walked on the same streets as me. At the level of notoriety and excellence in his craft and vision, frequented the same places as me. I am another experimental, Avant Garde, deconstructionist film maker who has the privilege to be here, in Samoa capturing and re-contextualising its beauty, its poverty, its future seeking to bring change.
On the shoulders Of giants I stand.
On the shoulders Of giants I stand.
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