Five Points

South African contemporary artist William Kentridge made Time’s list of “100 Most Influential People” this year. However, being listed among such heavy hitters as Hillary Clinton, The Twitter Guys, and Paul Krugman wasn’t the most impressive part. The person who wrote the item that gushes praise for the artist is none other than Lou Reed. Lou fucking Reed. One of the greatest visionaries and most arrogant assholes of the century. Lou Reed hates everyone. It would behoove The Norton Museum to capitalize on this point in order to entice Reed’s disciples, most of whom have probably never heard of the influential artist, to check out “Five Themes,” a large-scale exhibition of Kentridge’s provocative and politically-charged life’s work. Making only four stops in the U.S. before embarking on a world-wide tour, “Five Themes” is structured around five important ideas or topics that have engaged the artist throughout his career such as apartheid and imperialism. Animated films, charcoal drawings, prints, theater models, sculptures, and books comprise the exhibit which infuses the serious aforementioned themes with dreamy, enigmatic elements and an amusing touch of self-awareness, resulting in an oeuvre that is magnetic, thought-provoking, and powerful. The exhibit opens Saturday, and runs through January 17 at the Norton Museum of Art (1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach). Call 561-832-5196, or visit norton.org.
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.; Sundays, 1 p.m. Starts: Nov. 7. Continues through Jan. 17, 2009