by Mareike Wegener
A work of art at the centre of a police investigation? Shortly after the attacks of 9/11, the Whitney Museum of American Art receives a call from an FBI agent. She is researching the economic development of Bin Laden and asks to see one of the drawings of New York artist, Mark Lombardi. On closer inspection, the piece becomes the source of enormous political controversy. The canvas contains sophisticated flow charts connecting prominent economic and political figures with global corporations. It is a map of worldwide economic scandals, political intrigues and crimes. Lombardi’s death became as mysterious as his legacy after he was found dead in his apartment in 2000, though the official cause of death was suicide. This film follows the artist’s trail using interviews with friends and family, Lombardi’s archive recordings and detailed views of his images.