South African draughtsman, filmmaker and sculptor.
Kentridge first studied politics and African Studies at the University
of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg (1973–6) before studying Fine Art at
Johannesburg Art Foundation (1976–8). Throughout this time he was
heavily involved in theatre. His interest in theatre continued
throughout his career and clearly informs the dramatic and narrative
character of his art as well as his interests in linking drawing and
film. His work as a draughtsman has been expressionistic and dominated
by pastel and charcoal, and generally the drawings are conceived as the
basis of animated films. From 1989 to 1996 Kentridge made an important
cycle of films that allegorise South Africa's political upheavals
through the lives of three characters: a greedy property developer, his
neglected wife and her poet lover. The eight-minute animation Johannesburg, 2nd Greatest City after Paris
(1989), which began the series, consists of two dozen scenes developed
through minute changes to various drawings. Kentridge has always had an
ambivalent relationship to the influence of European art and culture,
focused by his own German, Jewish and Lithuanian roots. The influence of
satirists such as Daumier, Goya and Hogarth is clear, and he also often
used European classical themes as frameworks for contemporary African
subjects. Kentridge's fusion of Expressionism, art and theatre finds its
context in the interests of South Africa's Resistance Art movement of
the 1980s, and his work was largely unknown outside the country until he
established an international reputation in the early 1990s.
Yesterday, in the evening, I had a chance to attend an interesting conference at Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome. Adachiara Zevi, Art historian and Architect, was introducing the work of American artist Sol LeWitt. This conversation was offered in conjunction with the exhibition "Empire State, art in New York today" . Mrs Zevi not only had the chance to be the last one to interview the artist, but she also curated a recent exhibition at Museo Madre (Napoli), "Sol LeWitt. The artist and his artists". Adachiara Zevi Art historian and architect Adachiara Zevi, who penned the first collection of essays by and on Sol LeWitt as well as producing a recent book devoted to Wall Drawings in Italy, will be introducing her audience to the work and thought of this American artist - the man behind a revolution in artistic vocabulary without which it is impossible to understand today's art - and to his unique approach to conceptual art.
Last week I received an email by London-based artist Zak Ové announcing his New York debut show at Volta, the successful art fair taking place these days at 7W 34 th Street, directly across the Empire State Building. I was very pleased to hear it!! Ové attained a BA in Film as Fine Art at St Martins School of Art in London, and from there pursued a career in both film and photography. He is an extraordinary Film Director, Photographer and Sculptor. I 'met' Zak's work many years ago while working at the tv series Funky Black Shorts for the Community Channel in London. His short film ‘I Have a Dream’ (2002) caught my attention immediately. It is absolutely brilliant! The film was the winner of the best short film award as well as Best Director and Best Up and Coming Talent at the Black Film Awards in the UK, and was screened at various film festivals around the world. ‘I Have a Dream’ was shot in New York where Zak lived for many years. It mu
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