The exhibition Persistence of Vision brings together the work of Peter Hujar and Liz Deschenes, engaging them in an intergenerational dialog about photography. Hujar, who worked in New York City between the Stonewall protests of 1969 and the outbreak of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, captured a pivotal cultural period in haunting black and white photographs. In addition to striking images of animals, nature and decaying buildings, he portrayed the queer and avant-garde communities in Lower Manhattan, including personalities such as Candy Darling, Susan Sontag and David Wojnarowicz.
In the exhibition, Hujar's photographs are interwoven with contemporary works by New York City-based artist Deschenes. These constellations invite visitors to pause, sharpen their own gaze and discover new perspectives on Hujar's work. Deschenes creates sculptures and non-representational photographic works that utilize fundamental properties of the medium - light, chemistry and time - to explore what a photograph can be. As the first major exhibition of Hujar and Deschenes' work in Berlin, Persistence of Vision articulates an expanded understanding of photography, highlighting the uncompromising clarity of vision that unites both artists' practices.
Curated by Eva Respini, Co-CEO and Curator at Large, Vancouver Art Gallery, with Monique Machicao y Priemer Ferrufino, Curatorial Volunteer Exhibitions, Gropius Bau
In partnership with the Gropius Bau, the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn is showing Peter Hujar from February 27 to August 23, 2026. Eyes Open in the Dark.
More information at gropiusbau.de
Source: Gropius Bau
This content has been machine translated.Price information:
At the beginning of the exhibition, the ticket price will be €6 (reduced) or €9 (regular). With the opening of the Marina Abramović exhibition in April, the ticket price increases to 10/15€ and entitles you to enter both exhibitions.
Gemeinsam Events erleben
Events werden noch schöner wenn wir sie teilen! Deshalb kannst du dich jetzt mit Friends und anderen Usern vernetzen um Events gemeinsam zu besuchen. Loslegen