Peter Hujar and Liz Deschenes Exhibition at Berlin's Gropius Bau Explores Photography and Minimalism

A dual exhibition titled 'Persistence of Vision' at Berlin's Gropius Bau presents the work of photographer Peter Hujar alongside minimalist photographic pieces by Liz Deschenes. Hujar, who died from AIDS-related complications in 1987, documented New York's downtown bohemian scene during the 1960s and 1970s, capturing figures such as Andy Warhol, Susan Sontag, and drag performer Candy Darling. His intimate portraits often focused on queer subcultures, friends, and lovers, including artist Paul Thek and activist David Wojnarowicz. Concurrently, the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn is hosting a separate Hujar exhibition called 'Eyes Open In The Dark.' The renewed interest in Hujar's work coincides with institutional re-examinations of the 1980s and 1990s, particularly regarding AIDS history and the Act-Up movement. Liz Deschenes, a conceptual photographer, contributes non-representational works that engage with perception and materiality, creating a dialogue with Hujar's formal aesthetic. The exhibition is curated by Eva Respini, with involvement from Patrizia Dander of the Gropius Bau. Recent publications and a film have also contributed to Hujar's resurgence, including Andrew Durbin's dual biography of Hujar and Thek. The show highlights Hujar's minimalist approach—characterized by square black-and-white prints and precise composition—while Deschenes's pieces, which avoid traditional representation, emphasize photographic processes. The presentation aims to reframe Hujar's legacy beyond identity politics, focusing on artistic form and persistence.