¡°The Refusal of Time¡± is a collaborative work between South-African artist William Kentridge and science historian Peter Galison. A five-channel video installation with a complex sound system, this large-scale installation presents Kentridge¡¯s innovative animation and a large ¡°breathing machine¡± sculpture called an ¡°elephant.¡± The piece explores themes of science, globalization, colonialism and memory, outlining the history of our changing comprehension of time. The ¡®refusal¡¯ of the title is both a personal and political statement.

Presented as a prelude to ¡°Parasophia: Kyoto International Festival of Contemporary Culture 2015,¡± this is the first time the installation is being shown in Asia; Feb. 8-March 16.

Auditorium, former Rissei Elementary School; 310-2 Bizenjima-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto. Kawaramachi Stn. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. ?500. Closed Wed. 075-257-1453;