Vik Muniz is a Brazilian born visual artist based in New York and renowned for his art which is constructed using a variety of ready recognizable non-art materials including trash. Conscious of his own success that life had accorded him he set about wanting to help bring about change for group of needy people using the materials of the every day life. He chose to go back to Brazil and to the outskirts of Rio to Jardim Gramacho (Garbage Garden) the world’s largest landfill, which was surrounded, by one of the worst favelas in the country.
The daily unceasing parade of trucks unloaded all of Rio’s trash, which is sifted through by unofficial recycled material pickers, known as ‘catadores’ who scavenge a basic living for all their efforts. Despite the hardships, the nature of the work and the poverty and the overwhelming smell, there is a real sense of community with the formation of a Pickers Association which supports them in their desperate daily struggle. In the midst of these people, Vik Muniz sets about to show them how art can change their lives for the better. He photographs some of the more colorful workers, enlarges these pictures to enormous proportions, and encourages to decorate them with whatever garbage they want to make a work of art. He then photographs these and one is chosen to be auctioned in London, whilst the others are printed off to raise funds.
Working with Vik on this extraordinary project made these people not only realize that they were in denial of what their lifestyles had been, but it gave them the will to change. And change they did. They had an appetite for life, which was invigorating, and their sheer joy with what they achieved was so infectious. The money raised (some $250000) helped some leave completely, and also for the Association to establish a library and computers and learning as well as being able to give workers some basic support. The success of the project greatly effected Vik too, and there was a noticeable difference in his attitude to his own life once it was over.
It is a compelling movie of an inspiring and selfless idea that from a remarkable generous man and an extremely talented artist. Short-listed for an Oscar: and one that you will not want to miss.
P.S. This has also made me commit more seriously to my own recycling efforts. Guess I was reluctant before cos I had a compulsive b.f. who wanted to recycle every bit of trash, including all his ‘issues’.
Labels: documentary
