William Kentridge as Bard of the Damned: Art, Illusion, and the Body
During a workshop held at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Palermo from May 1 to May 3, 2022, William Kentridge explored his artistic approach as a means of counter-narrative for marginalized voices, drawing inspiration from Frantz Fanon's concept of the 'damned of the earth.' He reinterpreted the bardic tradition to amplify the stories of the defeated, beginning with the tale of Perseus and Medusa. Kentridge highlighted the cyclical nature of these narratives, referencing Walter Benjamin's theories. He critiques the diminishing impact of digital experiences through sensory combinations and collective expressions. His work challenges idealized representations, resonating with Baudrillard and Diderot's views on beauty's utility, while promoting craftsmanship and tactility, likening art to a liberating epic reminiscent of Beckett's 'Catastrophe.'
Key facts
- William Kentridge held a workshop and lecture at Accademia di Belle Arti di Palermo on May 1–3, 2022.
- The event was curated by Daniela Bigi, Stefania Galegati, Rosa Persico, and Marcello Faletra.
- Kentridge positions himself as a bard for the 'damned of the earth,' a phrase from Frantz Fanon.
- He contrasts his role with medieval bards who served the powerful.
- His narrative begins with the myth of Perseus and Medusa, told by his father.
- He invokes Walter Benjamin's concept of repetition in myth.
- Kentridge uses illusion as a critical tool against beautified historical narratives.
- He references Diderot's 'Letter on the Blind' (1749) on the utility of beauty.
- His works emphasize tactility and craftsmanship in opposition to the digital age.
- He views art as a pharmakon, a liberatory epic, echoing Jarry, Cervantes, and Svevo.
Entities
Artists
- William Kentridge
- Frantz Fanon
- Walter Benjamin
- Jean Baudrillard
- Denis Diderot
- Karl Marx
- Alfred Jarry
- Miguel de Cervantes
- Italo Svevo
- Samuel Beckett
- Daniela Bigi
- Stefania Galegati
- Rosa Persico
- Marcello Faletra
Institutions
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Palermo
- Artribune
Locations
- Palermo
- Italy