William Kentridge, born 1955, South Africa Search this
Medium:
Animated film recorded on videotape
Dimensions:
Duration: 8 minutes 2 seconds
Type:
Time Based Media
Geography:
Johannesburg, South Africa
Date:
1989
Label Text:
Since 1989 William Kentridge has been making short animated films using charcoal drawings that act as film stills which are photographed by the videocamera and then altered by the artist in minute ways to move the story forward. Several hundred distinct drawings may be needed for each narrative element, but as few as 20 might remain at the end of filming. The film shorts explore themes of love and betrayal, oppression and violence, death and regeneration and use obtuse and direct references to the socio-political climate of apartheid to tell their stories, which are set in Johannesburg.
Description:
Animated film on videotape composed of charcoal drawings that act as film stills. This film, "Johannesburg , 2nd Greatest City after Paris," is 8 minutes and 2 seconds long. It is one of six owned by the museum that is part of a collection of 9 films known as "Drawings and Projections." Each are considered by the artist to be individual films.
It is one of six owned by the museum that is part of a collection of 9 films known as "Drawings and Projections." Each are considered by the artist to be individual films.
Exhibition History:
General exhibition, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., ongoing
Currents: Water in African Art, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 2016-ongoing
William Kentridge: Ambivalent Affinities, Krannert Art Museum, Champaign, Illinois, January 29-May 23, 2010; Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, October 7-December 11, 2010
Insights, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., February 27 to November 28, 2004
Illuminations: Contemporary Film and Video Art, Ackland Art Museum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, June 25-October 8, 2001
Claiming Art / Reclaiming Space: Post Apartheid Art from South Africa, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 21-September 26, 1999
Content Statement:
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Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
