William Kentridge at 34Long
by Linda Stupart
It makes sense to hold a William Kentridge exhibition at 34Long. Under the gallery's sparkling chandelier and crisp white walls, Kentridge's meticulous and iconic pieces and their extravagant prices are pretty much at home.
Kentridge's strident political thematics are, as always, clear in this show. This finds a smattering of pet rhinos and wrapped monuments amongst a screening of Felix in Exile upstairs. The non-thematic selection process of the exhibition, however, which puts together an assortment of Kentridge's pieces from some private collections, highlights instead the mythical, frail, surreal and even whimsical aspects of his working process.
Including Adrian Kohler's shadow puppets from Confessions of Zeno and some of Kentridge's limited edition bronzes such as the David Brown-esque Four Figures on a Bridge 2001, with a screening of Felix in Exile, some charcoal drawings, etchings and collage, effectively represents the artist's diverse oeuvre and linking practices.
Pieces such as Anatomy of Vertebrates 2000, a smoky lithograph on text collage, Megaphone Man 2004, a simple etching, and the stunning charcoal drawing Untitled (Walking Tree-Man) 2000, embody a tragic mythical romance reminiscent of a Brothers Grimm fairytale.
More surprising are the almost homely sketches such as the Sleeping Cat etching, a decidedly mediocre Iris and another etching of a swing at the Vaal River. The former two are interesting in their Japanese-like swift gestures, while Swing at the Vaal River beautifully demonstrates Kentridge's superb draughtsmanship. However, their inclusion with mostly complex, challenging pieces merely highlights the purpose of the exhibition: to attract collectors. And only the most elite South African art buyers who can afford such pieces, and are interested not in the work on display but rather in 'Kentridges', prefer pieces that are rare and unusual, as opposed to powerful and exciting.
34Long has once again put on a slick and well curated exhibition. 'From Private Selections' reminds Cape Town of the sheer skill and presence of an artist we all assume we know too well to bother thinking about. However the show's focus on attracting collectors and making sales means that it lacks some consideration for both coherence and effect.
Opens: November 8
Closes: December 10
34Long
34 Long Street, Cape Town
Tel: (021) 426 4594
Email: fineart@34long.com
www.34long.com
Hours: Tue - Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 10am - 2pm
