Waste Land (2010)

Andrew Cohen

5/15/15

Professor Matthews

Digital Photography

            When looking at a piece of art, there is more behind it than an image on a wall. An artist or a photographer creates a piece of art with an underlying meaning behind it. Art inspires people to think outside the box. Art and photography has become a very important tool in our society because it brings the possibilities of expressionism and the power of imagination. We learn a lot from photography and art because it documents a certain time period in history, it shows culture, what society was like at the time. Also, art can show us what a certain part of the world is like if you’ve never seen it before. In the documentary Waste Land, by Lucy Walker and Karen Harley we learn through the art of Vik Muniz that art is very transformative, uplifting and can bring out the beauty of the human spirit. This documentary takes place in Jardim Gramacho, which is the world’s largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.

Anyone would never think twice about using trash to make artwork, but Muniz realized anything can be a work of art, with the help of others. The people who live on the landfill take advantage of the trash and turn it into treasures. They use materials to cook with, recycle and build their homes with, and turn the tons of trash into car parts and resalable items to generate income. Vik Believes that these people should be recognized as inspirations because they survive and learn to make the best out of what they have. He thought that he can take advantage of his knowledge and use the landfill to create art. For example, at one point in the documentary, Muniz is seen making a portrait with bottle caps and plastic recycled bottles. With about 7,000 tons of trash surrounding him he decided to choose six of the Catadores to pose as photographic subjects. All money from the sales of his work will go directly to benefit the workers.

Vik’s artwork shows that these “unknown” people really do have a name and a purpose to live. Many people who live in this community give up and go into prostitution and drugs because they are desperate for money. This group of people chose not to fall down that path, and even if they have trouble making money, do it the right way and live with integrity. His efforts help these people understand that they are human beings. They live, eat, sleep and laugh just like everyone else in this word. They deserve to be recognized by their courage and life choices in spite of the terrible poverty they are facing in such a depressing environment.

This documentary shows the strength of art and how creativity can bring a community together. It’s not truly about the type of artwork that he does, or about who he is, but this documentary focuses on the meaning behind art. Art can bring out many colors in a person. The message he is trying to portray is the importance of his documentary. It not really about Vik himself, but the look into the context of his work and the awareness that is available so the world can learn about who these people are by his representation of them. Muniz’s goal was “To be able to change the lives of a group of people with the same material that they deal with every day.” Muniz never imagined that his work could be so powerful and have such an impact on the lives of the people.

What is so amazing about this documentary is the fact the emotions that it creates for the viewers. It is difficult to see people live in such a terrible way, but Vik shows us that you can always make the best of what you have in life. He saw opportunity in something that was so depressing and upsetting. His artwork represented the people in this community. We learned that each person has a personality, a story behind their lives. His artwork shows how with the choice to think positively you can make something amazing if you put your mind to it. These people never believed that they would be recognized for anything, but Vik’s work showed that anyone has the ability to make an impact in this world if you put your mind to it and never give up on your dreams no matter how hard life might be.