This live-action film takes the three film strips of the Gasparcolor system and uses them in a highly original way. Lye filmed well-known dancer Rupert Doone in black and white, then added colours as the footage was developed and printed. He also added a variety of painted and stencilled patterns. Rainbow Dance is full of striking effects such as figures that leave behind a trail of coloured silhouettes as they move (like Duchamp’s painting “Nude Descending a Staircase”). Tired of naturalism, Lye mixed live action with cartoon symbols, and combined positive and negative footage. The film was sponsored by the GPO Film Unit on the condition that Lye included an advertisement for the GPO Savings Bank. (Len Lye Foundation)
A 35mm Gaspar Color nitrate print of RAINBOW DANCE held by the British FIlm Institute Archive, London was scanned using Scan2Screen’s revolutionary multispectral scanner, capturing digitally for the very first time Len Lye’s intended vibrant colors.
The film will be meticulously digitally restored by San Francisco Film Preserve.
