Film Review: Transformation and redemption in "Wasteland"

It is difficult to watch people in difficult circumstances. More than a dramtization of events, a documentary introduces you to the actual participants and allows a gut level reaction, and an identification that allows empathy as you hear the story.

Wasteland was a difficult film for me to watch. I didn’t like seeing the dirt and the filth in which people were forced to work. Yet I had respect for the reasons some were there: honest work, to stay off the streets, to simply try to earn a living vs. stealing. Vik Muniz’ vision of giving back to this sector of his community is a grand gesture to bring to light a hidden society. What he didn’t count on was that he would become involved and care about the lives of his participants.

Muniz’ original idea was to do a project that would benefit the hidden society of Jardim Gramacho in Rio de Janiero. This site is the largest landfill in the world, and is a virtual island of garbage  where the catadores, or garbage pickers, earn their living. Many of the workers originated from lower middle class circumstances, as did the artist himself. Muniz decided to use his photography and alternative-materials art concepts to create works that would be sold and the resulting profits donated back to this community.

His concept was to find models for the imagery, create scenes to photograph for use as artwork, and then use the garbage to form works of art. The process involved projecting a photographic image on the floor of his studio and having the workers and models themselves place the garbage in the light and shadow areas as he directed from a high platform above. Areas that needed shading would be tended to by Vik with dirt and a sifter. When the image was complete, he would then photograph it.

Some very interesting things happened. At a certain point of working with the catadores, a couple of them declared that they never wanted to go back to work at the land fill. A scene of a discussion between Vik and his wife and partner centered around having the workers in the studio. Were they giving them too much hope? Was it better to just let them stay in their own circumstances and not wish for things they couldn’t have. Was it cruel? It was an interesting process to watch, and a brilliant addition to the film because it is the age old controversy… who are we as individuals to decide what information others should or should not have? In the conversation Vik makes the assertion that hope is a good thing for anyone and could be a motivating factor in a transformation for some in the community.

As the project is finished, Muniz chooses a piece (based on “The Death of Marat” by David) to take to London for auction which features Tiao, a worker who has formed an association on behalf of the catadores. He takes Tiao to London to witness the auction at which the artwork sells for 39,000 pounds. It is an astonishing experience and a broadening of worldview that would affect Tiao for the rest of his life, in addition to the proceeds that would help with his community.

Back in Brazil, Muniz has an opening at the Rio de Janiero Museum of Modern Art for all the work he completed, and the workers can now come and see the whole body of work in which they were involved. The monetary result of this show is that over $250,000 is raised on their behalf.

In the end, the transformational process was distinct. Some of the workers declared that they could never go back, and some returned to their life, richer for the experience, and some, like Tiao, used the tools they had gained to expand help for the community. Especially poignant were some final scenes where the artist brought these museum quality pieces of art and presented each participant with a portrait of themselves to hang on the walls of their humble living circumstances. It was a fitting ending, and the contrast of setting was as impactful as the process of transforming garbage into beautiful works of art.

This film illustrates what is truly important about a successful work of art: the ability to deeply touch the emotion and wonder of the people it comes into contact with.

The Parable of the Talents

We all have pieces of artwork that have made an impact on us personally. One such work was on display at the International Lettering Arts Conference "Celebrations" held at Ohio Weslyan University in 2003. 

Nancy Culmone's "Parable of the Talents"* fairly shined through it's glass display case. I don't know what attracted me initially, and I didn't even get to look through the book itself... just a couple of pages that were displayed. I guess I didn't really need to see the whole thing because I could feel the whole thing already.

Nancy Culmone "The Parable of the Talents" ca.1990 #3 of 3

What made the impression on me was the correlation of the word "talent". That word for a biblical unit of money had never impressed me before as something personal like it did that day. Yet there it was, staring me right in the face. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with this parable, I have included this text at the end of this page).

Though I had read and heard correlations on this passage, nothing had ever hit me so emotionally regarding my own "talent" and responsibility before... perhaps because I was finally practicing my true gift. I began to consider what I was doing with my artwork, why I was doing it, and what goals I might have in my explorations of my mediums. I made some serious personal observations, and this little encounter helped me to clarify a base philosophy of how I would attempt to "use" my talent, and that philosophy further helps me to decide on taking or turning down a commissioned painting.

Driving around today this concept of "not burying your talent" came back to me. I began to think of the many artists, actors, business people and just plain old joes like me who have taken parts of themselves and put their talent into action for a positive goal. They have used their talent for a purpose.

Randall M. Hasson - Journals

In addition to the many "famous" people who have traveled to Hurricane Katrina ravaged areas, or to Africa for various causes, I think of many of our own community who simply are involved. Mel Albhorn's Portraits for Peace series honors and remembers our soldiers... heroes. Based in New Mexico, Rick Iannuci and Nancy De Santis have an organization called "Horses for Heroes" that helps war vets re-orient to a non war society. Alice Hancock has an organization called "Greentherapie" with a motto of "Live Right" that counsels on healthy lifestyles for education and prevention of cancer. In a more committed fashion, a friend from High School, Jeff Seed, took off and went to Africa and has been serving there for over 20 years... first for CARE and currently for DKT International. He is making a difference.

These are just "tip of the iceberg" examples of people making a difference... people using their time and talent for a positive purpose... people who are making a difference in someone else's life.

Randall M. Hasson - Journals

So the question becomes one for self evaluation... it certainly doesn't have to be some big thing, some huge move. I think of my wife Valerie who found out that she was a GREAT manager and actually has made a tangible difference in peoples lives with her counsel, advice and example. Friend Don Miller who is a big-time band leader also makes a difference in his son and other kids lives by being a scout leader.  

Jennifer Hamady is a vocal coach who reveals methods for people to allow their gift to come forth through singing by understanding who they are and overcoming barriers they have set for themselves. And of course your always remember your teachers and coaches... High School classmate Doreen Barbee is making a difference to art students somewhere deep in the heart of Texas, influenced by our great High School art teacher, Mr. Jenkins.

What do you do... What are your true talents... your passions? What do you know that is your gifting? Encouraging people? Organization? Making a statement with artwork or acting or speaking or singing? Helping someone without resources to fix their house? Teaching? Where are you using your true gifts and talents? Giving usually gives the "giver" as much as the receiver. Using your talent makes giving your gifts effortless... or maybe at least less taxing! Are you using it? What are you waiting for?

A man who commissioned a painting said to me during an interview:

 "if you are doing your true passion, you'll work seven days a week and wish for an 8th".

I don't think he is too far off. 

*Note: Nancy Culmone does not have a website, however information about Nancy and her above referenced book can be found here. Examples of her books are in the libraries of Harvard, Duke University, Universities of Michigan and Utah, Wellesley College, as well as in private collections.

The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30 (NIV)

 ¹⁴"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. ¹⁵To one he gave five talents^[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. ¹⁶The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. ¹⁷So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. ¹⁸But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. ¹⁹"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
 ²¹"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
 ²²"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
 ²³"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
 ²⁴"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
 ²⁶"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
 ²⁸" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. ²⁹For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him...