Mierle Laderman Ukeles, a pioneering maintenance artist, redefined art by merging domestic and societal tasks with artistic expression. As an unpaid artist in residence for the New York City Department of Sanitation, she emphasized the narratives of those performing vital yet unnoticed jobs. Her innovative approach, which encompasses performances and manifestos, highlights the importance of maintenance and labor in urban life. The documentary 'Maintenance Artist' premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, showcasing her journey and impact, further solidifying her presence in the art world after a major retrospective at Queens Museum in 2016-17.
"You hold up the whole city in your hands, with your unending work. I think it's time for the public to hear what New York City feels like, from the side of the people that keep it alive every single day."
"If her hero Marcel Duchamp could sign a urinal and make it art, then she could take the necessary tasks of diaper-changing, floor-washing and garbage-collecting and make them art, too."
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