A series of film projections, 7 Fragments reveals Kentridge, celebrated for his signature style of animated drawings, at work in his Johannesburg studio, using such simple cinema tricks as reverse-motion to evoke film's capacity for twisting the limits of physical reality. You'll find the Fragments accompanied by two related short films, Day for Night and Journey to the Moon, forming a suite of works previously seen at the Venice Biennale. Journey to the Moon incorporates many of the elements of the Fragments to produce an evocative homage to French director Melies's 1902 epic of the same name. Day for Night surreally transforms an incursion of ants into Kentridge's kitchen into shifting constellations of abstract patterns. Director of Media Arts Bill Horrigan organized this exhibition for the Wexner Center.

On June 16, the New York Times reported that the Museum of Modern Art has acquired this same trio of works for MoMA's permanent collection and quoted MoMA Director Glenn D. Lowry thoughts on Kentridge as "one of the most important artists working today." You could wait to see these captivating projects in New York...or you could visit the Wexner Center this summer.

Please note: This exhibition closes August 6, a change from the originally published date of August 13.


image credits

William Kentridge

Still from 7 Fragments for Georges Melies, 2003

Still from Day for Night, 2003

Images courtesy The Marian Goodman Gallery

William Kentridge making 7 Fragments for Georges Melies, 2003
Image courtesy the artist