An extraordinary exhibition, which took us back to different historical events or periods through different mediums. Touching but at the same time heartbreaking, as showing some cruel past.
The most popular exhibition room inside is the ‘black box’ without a doubt. I am amazed by Kentridge creating a puppet show using motors and wheels. On top of this, the combination of opera and film has made this puppet show full of surprise. The fact that the puppet show was mostly for children, Kentridge utilised it to present another heartbreaking historical event. To my opinion, this provokes more empathy as well as makes the audience’s position from passive to active to interpret and reflect on the play.
This is also seen in Kentridge’s other work. One of my favourite paintings in the first exhibition room. Kentridge drew the politicians into animals such as coyotes or cheetahs inside the drawing. Furthermore, the painting below shows the coyote wearing a roller skate. I am fond of Kentridge using a humourous approach to present history. Also, allowing the audience again actively engage with the drawing rather than receiving the message directly from the drawing.
Last but none least, throughout the exhibition space, charcoal drawing is seen multiple times. At first, I thought it was a part of the curating process of the exhibition. After I finished the exhibition and look up the information on RA’s website. I realised the drawing is done unpurpose. They are drawn because Kentridge felt bored during the exhibition set-up. We can even see a ladder inside one of the exhibition rooms with a work-in-progress sign. Referring to the interior design aspect, I love the idea of utilising the empty wall space with lighter materials such as hand drawing. I would also like to experiment this further inside my project 5. Usually, when people come to an exhibition space, the work is quite distancing from us as they are rigid and fragile. The hand drawing has successfully solved the problem which makes the viewing experience more friendly.
Finally, a quote from William Kentridge. A quote that I think is useful for everyone.
Forgetting is natural, remembering is the effort one makes’.
William Kentridge