Artwork Page for The Thinkers

Details / Information for The Thinkers

The Thinkers

2014

Vik Muniz

(American, b. 1961)
Culture
America
Medium
digital chromogenic print
Measurements
Framed: 270.4 x 180.3 cm (106 7/16 x 71 in.); Unframed: 270.4 x 180.3 cm (106 7/16 x 71 in.)
Credit Line
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 2015.16
Edition
edition of 6
Copyright
© Vik Muniz / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Just as the museum is a storehouse for civilizations’ cultural past, The Thinkers is a repository for individuals’ pasts.

Description

Scale is a critical component in the experience of viewing this photographic enlargement of a collage. From a distance, you see a couple posing around 1940 by Rodin’s The Thinker at the south facade of the Cleveland Museum of Art. When approached, that image dissolves into hundreds of snippets of other people’s family photos pasted together. Even the overall image is based on a snapshot from the artist’s collection of found photographs. Their original context and meaning have been lost, yet the images evoke nostalgia for our own family mementos and encourage us to think about the nature and uses of photography then and now.
A collage depicts two people standing at the foot of the pedestal for the Cleveland Museum of Art statue of The Thinker. The statue depicts a nude man seated resting his chin on his fist. The collage is created from fragments of black-and-white family photos pasted together. People's faces show throughout the collage, especially on the pedestal and building behind the statue. Other parts of photographs are fragmented beyond recognition. Some show scrawls of writing.

The Thinkers

2014

Vik Muniz

(American, b. 1961)
America

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Shop the CMA Store

Shop More Art

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork