Mix media master tours the Modern

William Kentridge, Drawing for the film Stereoscope, 1998–99
Charcoal, pastel, and colored pencil on paper
47 1/4 x 63 in. (120 x 160 cm)
The Museum of Modern Art, New York
® 2008 William Kentridge
photo: courtesy the William Kentridge Studio and The Museum of Modern Art, New York
 

Animated films, sculpture, theater models, drawings, and stage designs set to music are just a sampling of the types of media that can be experienced through the art of William Kentridge.  Starting this week, everyone can have a media experience of their own as William Kentridge:  Five Themes opens at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.  The exhibition will feature more than 75 works from the South African artist--some of which have never been shown in the U.S.  This exhibit will take a candid look at the artist's studio practice, present his works from the last three decades, and reveal Kentridge's current project. 

The exhibition also reflects five themes that affected Kentridge--one of which was apartheid South Africa.  The artist was born in Johannesburg in 1955 and still lives their today.  Kentridge experienced apartheid firsthand, and through his innovative use of various media types and his development of historical narrative themes, viewers will be exposed to colonial oppression, social conflict, and politics within various cultures.  

"Kentridge is without a doubt one of the most interesting and inventive artists working today.  A descendant of European immigrants to South Africa and the son of two distinguished anti-apartheid lawyers, his art takes the form of narratives that come out of his experience of growing up surrounded by the complex politics of that country.  What makes Kentridge's art so poignant is that his stories encompass many viewpoints that stretch beyond the complex politics of South Africa.  He is always finding new ways to look at historical or contemporary situations from a different angle..." said Michael Auping, Chief Curator of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. 

William Kentridge, Drawing for the opera The Magic Flute, 2005
Charcoal, pastel, and colored pencil on paper
48 x 48 in. (121.9 x 121.9 cm)
Collection of Brenda Potter and Michael Sandler
© 2008 William Kentridge; photo: John Hodgkiss, courtesy the William Kentridge Studio
 

Mix media frenzy

William Kentridge has been described as an installation artist, but each gallery in the exhibition reveals layers of different media types used by the artist to arrive at each of his final installation pieces.  Each media layer is an important part of the installation, but they are also important art pieces in their own right.  Kentridge begins his artistic process with charcoal drawings.  Works such as the moving Drawing for II Sole 24 Ore (World Walking), 2007, and the dramatic Drawing for the film Stereoscope, 1998-99 which depicts the fictional character, Soho Eckstein, involve the artist drawing, erasing, and reworking each piece.  He then adds another layer by photographing and projecting the charcoal drawings as moving images.  The artist uses his own hand to make the images move.  As a result of Kentridge's artistic process, the viewer is then able to see Soho Eckstein come to life in an animated film. 

However, Kentridge doesn't stop with charcoal drawings being transformed into animated films.  He adds another layer--music.  As music is added to the films, they become the basis for stage design, theater models, and opera.  Drawing for the opera The Magic Flute, 2005  portrays a theater model which is displayed near the end of the exhibit.  Kentridge created the theater model after completing his 2005 production of The Magic Flute for the La Monnaie opera house in Belgium.  Therefore, William Kentridge has an uncommon ability to unite various media layers with historical narratives making his final installations worthy of applause.  

William Kentridge, Drawing for II Sole 24 Ore (World Walking), 2007
Charcoal, gouache, pastel, and colored pencil on paper
84 x 59 in. (213.5 x 150 cm)
Collection of Doris and Donald Fisher
© 2008 William Kentridge; photo: courtesy Marian Goodman Gallery, New York
 

William Kentridge:  Five Themes is on exhibit at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth from July 12-September 27, 2009.  The exhibition is organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Florida.