Self-Portrait as a Coffee Pot
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Play S1 E1Pioneering artist William Kentridge chronicles his creative process during COVID. Interconnected episodes explore culture, history, politics, and profound truths through art-making, inviting viewers into his studio.
Cast: William Kentridge, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Diego Sillands
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Season 1
9 episodes
- 1. A Natural History of the StudioKentridge introduces viewers to his Johannesburg studio, imagined as an enlarged head where multiple dialogues occur between the artist and himself. He begins interviewing his double, leading to a studio populated by his many selves.CC31minOct 18, 2024
- 2. Self-Portrait as a Coffee-PotKentridge explores the making of a self-portrait as a means of self-discovery. He welcomes dancer Dada Masilo into his studio and attempts to draw his own figure with a brush attached to a long stick, while his double observes the imperfect outcome.CC31minOct 18, 2024
- 3. Vanishing PointsInvestigating how memory connects to place, Kentridge draws a fictional colonial landscape reminiscent of those from his childhood, while his doppelgänger illustrates his own memories of Johannesburg.CC31minOct 18, 2024
- 4. Finding One’s FateReflecting on a childhood story about Perseus accidentally killing his grandfather, Kentridge contemplates destiny and explores the tale of the Cumaean Sibyl, who revealed people's fates inscribed on falling leaves.CC31minOct 18, 2024
- 5. As IfKentridge paints black curved brushstrokes that align into the shape of a horse from a specific viewpoint. He debates with his doppelgänger, who sits on a tall wooden horse, and collaborates with his team on a large abstract sculpture.CC31minOct 18, 2024
- 6. Harvest of DevotionRecreating rehearsals from previous performances, Kentridge reads a phonetic poem with performers Hamilton Dlamini, Mncedisi Shabangu, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, and Mica Manganye. They also read John Chilembwe’s 1915 letter advocating for equality in Malawi.CC31minOct 18, 2024
- 7. The Moment Has GoneKentridge reflects on the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of moments, integrating music and animation to convey the fleeting aspects of memory and experience.CC31minOct 18, 2024
- 8. The Head & The LoadDrawing from his performance piece of the same name, Kentridge examines the complex histories of African porters during World War I, combining shadow play, music, and narration to highlight overlooked narratives.CC31minOct 18, 2024
- 9. The ProcessionIn the concluding episode, Kentridge and his collaborators leave the confines of the studio, led by a marching band, symbolizing a return to the outside world and the culmination of their introspective journey.CC31minOct 18, 2024
Self-Portrait as a Coffee Pot
★ 8.0/1020241 season9 episodesEnded
Pioneering artist William Kentridge chronicles his creative process during COVID. Interconnected episodes explore culture, history, politics, and profound truths through art-making, inviting viewers into his studio.
Creators and cast
- Directors
- William Kentridge
- Created by
- William Kentridge
Maturity rating
Not yet rated.
Audio languages
English
Where to watch
Not currently listed on any streaming, rental or purchase service.
