Photographic Images

Watch the Trailer for Waste Land, a Documentary About Beauty and Trash

WASTE LAND Official Trailer from Almega Projects on Vimeo.

Jardim Gramacho, outside of Rio, is the world’s largest landfill. In a new documentary called Waste Land, Vik Muniz, a Brazilian-born, Brooklyn-based artist, returns to create portraits, made from the trash itself, of the so-called “catadores” who work there.

It looks like an interesting peek at a subculture you’re not likely to be exposed to otherwise, a helpful reminder that we’re creating incredible volumes of trash, and a nice example of the redemptive power of art.

Filmed over nearly three years, WASTE LAND follows Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world’s largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs an eclectic band of “catadores” — self-designated pickers of recyclable materials. Muniz’s initial objective was to “paint” the catadores with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters as they recreate photographic images of themselves out of garbage reveals both the dignity and despair of the catadores as they begin to re-imagine their lives. Director Lucy Walker (DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, BLINDSIGHT, COUNTDOWN TO ZERO) has great access to the entire process and, in the end, offers stirring evidence of the transformative power of art and the alchemy of the human spirit.

JRHS Book Sigining & Exhibit at Dawson’s Books

Kim Stringfellow pleased to announce that Michael Dawson Gallery will host a book signing and exhibition featuring photographs from my most recent publication, Jackrabbit Homestead: Tracing the Small Tract Act in the Southern California Landscape, 1938-2008. Published by the Center for American Places, this 136-page hard cover book with dust jacket features sixty-one color photographs with an accompanying text. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase for those unable to attend the event. Signed and inscribed books may also be purchased through PayPal at www.kimstringfellow.com.


Twenty-four photographic images from the book will be on display in the gallery from February 20th until April 3rd, 2010. Historical documents and photos related to the jackrabbit homesteading experience will also be on display.
For more information about this project or to download the JRHS audio tour, please visit the project’s Web site at www.jackrabbithomestead.com.


OPENING RECEPTION: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20th, 2010 FROM 2 TO 4 PM.
Dawson Books/Michael Dawson Gallery
535 N. Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004
PH: 323.469.2186
Hours: Thursday – Saturday 11am-5pm and by appointment.
www.michaeldawsongallery.com