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In the Favela: Questions of Participation and Community Engagement in the work of Helio Oiticica, Vik Muniz, and JR

McCoy, Angelina S.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427893489

Abstract Details

2015, MA, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Art History.
Brazilian favelas (shantytowns or slums) first formed in the late nineteenth century when soldiers and former slaves could not afford housing in urban cities. The growth of the favelas accelerated in the 1940s when Brazilians migrated from rural towns to find jobs. Several artists have worked in these communities in Brazil including Brazilian artists Helio Oiticica (1938-1980), Vik Muniz (b. 1961), and French artist JR (b. 1983). Oiticica began as a painter, later moving toward more overtly political and radical creations such as his wearable sculptures in the 1960s and 1970s. Muniz formed portraits of favela community members in his Pictures of Garbage series (2008) and JR also photographed people of the favela in his Women Are Heroes project (2008-2009). All three artists engage with marginal communities to create artworks and cultural experiences, increasing the visibility of socio-economical issues in the favela. A close analysis of each artist’s body of work in regards to authorship, audience, and participation aids in discussing how these projects function within the favela community. Oiticica’s Parangoles combine sculpture and performance in order to catalyze an experience in which the body and art become one. Nicolas Bourriaud’s theories of relational art lend to an idea of a convivial atmosphere for the participants. Claire Bishop’s idea of antagonism conversely presents itself through Oiticica’s audience. Conviviality also plays a part in Muniz’s project in Rio where he shares authorship with participants in order to directly impact their lives through proceeds. Muniz appropriates art historical works in the form of garbage, creating new forms of beauty. The participants experience materials they work with each day in a new way, aiding in the production of large mosaics. The final photographic works sell at auction and Muniz donates the proceeds to the favela community. His ability to directly impact a community of participants relates to a broader question of philanthropic projects. JR’s monumental pasted photographs highlight women of another favela community. He uses participation to create discussion surrounding these sociopolitical and economical issues. JR allows for a global audience to view his work through installations and web-based media. JR’s international notoriety aids in spreading awareness of the women’s stories and importance of supporting their own community. All three artists reconfigure how art can change perspectives of the world and also raise more questions about the importance of participation in marginal communities. Each project approaches social issues in the favela differently, demonstrating how participatory art provides an array of possible impacts.
Morgan Thomas, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Jennifer Krivickas, M.Lis. (Committee Member)
Mikiko Hirayama, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
67 p.
Art History
Vik Muniz; JR; Helio Oiticica; Parangoles; Favela; Participation art

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McCoy, A. S. (2015). In the Favela: Questions of Participation and Community Engagement in the work of Helio Oiticica, Vik Muniz, and JR [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427893489

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McCoy, Angelina. In the Favela: Questions of Participation and Community Engagement in the work of Helio Oiticica, Vik Muniz, and JR. 2015. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427893489.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McCoy, Angelina. "In the Favela: Questions of Participation and Community Engagement in the work of Helio Oiticica, Vik Muniz, and JR." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427893489

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1427893489
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.