ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

William Kentridge's Dual Exhibitions at Marian Goodman Gallery and Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013

exhibition · 2026-04-22

In the autumn of 2013, New York hosted two exhibitions featuring the art of William Kentridge. From September 17 to October 26, Marian Goodman Gallery presented 'Second-hand Reading,' which included installations such as Untitled (Drum Machine) (2012), sculptures made from modified Singer sewing machines, extensive ink drawings on pages from encyclopedias, and the video Second-Hand Reading (2013), accompanied by music from Neo Muyanga. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibited 'In Praise of Shadows: William Kentridge in the Collection' from August 26, 2013, until February 2, 2014, offering historical insights. Kentridge's approach focuses on repurposed materials and self-imposed drawing restrictions, steering clear of 1970s art trends, although some critics viewed the Marian Goodman exhibition as lacking cohesion.

Key facts

  • William Kentridge had two simultaneous exhibitions in New York in 2013
  • 'Second-hand Reading' ran at Marian Goodman Gallery from September 17 to October 26, 2013
  • 'In Praise of Shadows' was displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from August 26, 2013 to February 2, 2014
  • Kentridge uses recycled materials like encyclopedia pages and old sewing machines
  • His artistic practice employs self-imposed limitations including drawing rather than painting
  • Kentridge consciously avoids alignment with 1970s art movements
  • The artist describes his method as 'requisitioning of old forms for new uses'
  • Music for the video Second-Hand Reading (2013) was composed by Neo Muyanga

Entities

Artists

  • William Kentridge
  • Neo Muyanga
  • Mondrian
  • Duchamp

Institutions

  • Marian Goodman Gallery
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • artcritical

Locations

  • New York City
  • New York
  • United States
  • South Africa

Sources