Vic Muniz

This video is not just a documentation of Vic Muniz’s work, but rather an inside documentary. I feel as though that this was created in hopes to raise awareness once Muniz and his team saw how corrupt things could be i.e. when the organization’s wages of $6,000 dollars were stolen. Muniz’s work of the portraits were to be sold and the full percentage of the profits given back to them. However, this video expanded on that help. This video spreads the word by real documentation rather than by word of mouth. 

Yet, towards the end of the video Muniz and his wife revealed a deeper question on the project: is it doing the locals any good by involving them in the work? I can equally see both sides of their arguments. From Muniz’s side, I think it gave the locals sometime to see an opportunity for a better life; and even a look into the beauty of their everyday job. The aspect of these workers creating this art gives a sense of quality and retrospect. Day after day, these people rummage and sort through the garbage of their area; this is similar to what they are doing with the portraits. This technique may have been over seen by Muniz, but it was really created by the people. 

Also, another aspect of this video was the art materials to the place and subjects of the work. Using the trash connects the people to the health sanitation situation and also to their home.