William Kentridge: Exploring Animation, History, and Art at Eye Filmmuseum

This exhibition at Eye Filmmuseum features the South African artist William Kentridge, showcasing his breakthrough animation films '10 Drawings for Projection' (1989-2011) and the film installation 'O Sentimental Machine' (2015). The works delve into the recent history of South Africa, exploring themes of ambiguity, contradiction, and social commentary.

The exhibition 'William Kentridge (2019)' at Eye Filmmuseum presents a significant body of work by the internationally acclaimed South African artist, William Kentridge. Central to the exhibition are his '10 Drawings for Projection' (1989-2011), a series of ten short animation films that marked his breakthrough on the global art stage. These films, created through a unique process of drawing, redrawing, and erasing charcoal sketches, illuminate the eventful and often turbulent recent history of South Africa, referencing events such as the Sharpeville massacre, the release of Nelson Mandela, and the abolition of Apartheid. The exhibition also includes the film installation 'O Sentimental Machine' (2015), which features historical footage of Leon Trotsky and utilizes material from Eye's collection, including home movies of Russia's last czar. Kentridge is noted for his 'political art,' characterized by ambiguity, contradiction, and unfinished gestures, offering a profound engagement with his native country's past and present. During the summer of 2019, coinciding with the Holland Festival where Kentridge served as Associate Artist, the exhibition also highlighted large wall tapestries produced by Kentridge in Johannesburg, incorporating motifs from his existing works. The artist's donation of '10 Drawings for Projection' to Eye in 2015 followed a previous successful exhibition, 'William Kentridge – If We Ever Get to Heaven,' underscoring his connection with the institution. The exhibition is accompanied by a programme of films, discussions, and performances, further contextualizing Kentridge's multidisciplinary practice, which spans film, drawing, installation, opera, and theatre. A collaborative project, 'Project I Am,' inspired by Kentridge's work, also showcases films made by young people from South African townships, demonstrating the enduring relevance of his themes.

This exhibition is part of the general programme at Eye Filmmuseum. Visitors are directed to the official website for ticketing information and admission details, as specific exhibition entry requirements are not detailed on this page beyond general museum access context. Access may be part of museum entry or require separate booking, which should be confirmed on their site.