CHANEL Connects - The Sparring Partners: William Kentridge and Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev
Jul 30, 2024
auto_awesome
William Kentridge, a pioneering artist known for his animated works, chats with renowned curator Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev. They delve into Kentridge's impactful film installation at the Venice Biennale and reflect on their close artistic partnership. The duo discusses the balance of freedom and survival in art, emphasizes the role of improvisation in creative processes, and explores how modern technology shapes contemporary art. Their engaging dialogue captures the essence of collaboration and the evolving nature of artistic expression.
Kentridge and Christov-Bakargiev highlight the productive tension in their collaboration, enhancing their artistic visions through mutual challenge and understanding.
The podcast explores how contemporary artists must balance traditional practices with the digital landscape, reshaping audience engagement and perceptions of art.
Deep dives
Chanel Connects: A New Season of Creative Exploration
The fourth season of Chanel Connects features nine episodes spotlighting influential artists, curators, and thinkers who are shaping contemporary culture. Key figures like William Kentridge and Carolyn Christoff-Bakargiev discuss their experiences and work, particularly in the context of the Venice Biennale, a leading global art exhibition. This season emphasizes fresh connections and ideas, particularly through the lens of social media and modern technology's impact on creativity. The collaboration across generations aims to rethink and redefine how art is presented and understood in today’s digitally-centric world.
Personal Reflections on Curatorial Partnerships
William Kentridge and Carolyn Christoff-Bakargiev reflect on their long-standing collaborative relationship, emphasizing the importance of mutual challenge and understanding in the curatorial process. Their discussions reveal how they initially met as emerging artists and curators, which evolved into a productive partnership marked by both harmony and constructive disagreements. They express that genuine collaboration allows each to see new dimensions in their work, transcending traditional roles of curator and artist. This dynamic encourages not just a synergy of ideas but also a deep respect for the evolving nature of art and its interpretation.
Reimagining Artistic Spaces and Experiences
Kentridge discusses his current exhibition, 'Self-Portrait as a Coffee Pot,' conceptualized during the COVID-19 lockdown, showcasing a myriad of films that explore the artist's creative process. The installation is designed to create an immersive experience, blurring the lines between the viewer's presence and the films that were shot in his studio. He articulates the notion of a studio as a metaphor for the mind, where fragmented thoughts coalesce into meaningful artwork. This innovative approach allows audiences to engage with the art on multiple levels, highlighting the importance of space in both artistic creation and consumption.
The Future of Art in a Digital Age
The conversation addresses the intersection of traditional and digital art, with Kentridge noting the evolving expectations and experiences of audiences influenced by technology. He posits that artists today must navigate the complexities of both legacy practices and new mediums, prompting a re-evaluation of what constitutes art. Younger artists are described as being drawn to the simplicity and immediacy of Kentridge's work as a counterpoint to the high-tech tools often favored in digital art. This juxtaposition calls for a re-examination of artistic value and accessibility as the art world confronts significant societal and technological shifts.
This episode is brought to you by CHANEL. CHANEL Connects – the acclaimed arts and culture podcast – is back for its fourth season, with nine episodes featuring the artists, curators and thinkers shaping culture today. If you enjoy the episode, you can hear much more from the new season, just search CHANEL Connects now on your preferred streaming platforms or visit chanel.com.
The artist William Kentridge and curator Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev are old friends who, together, have created some of the most resonant work of their time. These two giants of the art world discuss the Venice installation of William’s film “Self-Portrait as a Coffee Pot,” Carolyn‘s previous work as director of the Castello di Rivoli museum in Italy, and the origins of their long and rich creative relationship.