implicit art

^{Mikhael Subotzky, from Die Vier Hoeke and Umjiegwana}

Hit up the William Kentridge book launch – William Kentridge Prints – at David Krut this morning, and got a fresh start of drinking wine before noon. W00+! A beautiful book, some nice text, and an interesting opening by drama academic Jane Taylor, who William said finally explained to him what he was doing. Mostly dry humor and appreciative verbiage, she treated the prints, and the new book, as an intertext to the history of printmaking…

By her prompting, and after a chat with Michael McGarry, I headed over to the Mikhael Subotzky exhibition at the Goodman. The goods: some riveting prints with a lot of power were present, and I’ve no doubts that this young artist is going places, especially in a world desperate for more political work from from the New South Africa.  The bads: terrible frames (I know, young artists need money!), and perhaps too many images – I think maybe 1/3 less the current amount would have done the trick. The uglies: nothing – strong solo.

Also stopped by Warren Siebrits to see his Prints and Multiples III, a group exhibition, some local and international stuff, including Moffatt, Warhol, Beuys, Edmunds, Battiss and several other Rorke’s Drift artists.

Some good shows – worth a visit to the gallery strip….