Artist: Vik Muniz (American, b. Brazil, 1960)

Title: Ad Reinhardt

Audio:

Date: 2000

Dimensions: 44″ x 66″

Location in Library: First floor

Media: Cibachrome

Owner: The Brooklyn College Library Collection. Purchased with Dormitory Authority of New York Art Acquisition Funds. © Vik Muniz

Description:

Muniz collected dust and detritus from the galleries and offices of the Whitney Museum of American Art and arranged these substances into a drawing based on a photograph from the Museum’s exhibition Collection in Context: Ad Reinhardt.* He then photographed the drawing and enlarged it, creating a representation of a representation. Muniz’s use of dust is in keeping with his practice of incorporating unusual materials, such as chocolate syrup, ashes, and wire, into his work. His use of these substances hints at his offbeat sense of humor.

* The abstract artist Ad Reinhardt taught in the Brooklyn College Art Department from 1947 to 1967.

Related Websites
– Vik Muniz’s Website
– Vik Muniz at P.S.1 MoMA
– Vik Muniz on PBS

Suggested Readings
– Muniz, Vik. Vik Muniz: Seeing is Believing, 1998.
Call Number: Folio TR654 .M8x 1998
– Muniz, Vik. Reflex: A Vik Muniz Primer, 2005.
Call Number: TR647 .M857x 2005
– Sullivan, Edward J. Brazil: Body and Soul, 2001.
Call Number: N6650 .B7 2001