Exhibition Review: Peter Hujar at Jeu de Paume

The Institution

Jeu de Paume is an arts center for modern and contemporary photography and media located in the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, France. The center is dedicated to the diffusion of the image, in all of its diverse formats and themes. Not only does the institution present 20th and 21st century photography, cinema, video, and installation, but also produces exhibitions, conferences, and publications. Their programming features both renowned and emerging artists.

The Exhibition

I went to see Peter Hujar: Speed of Life, a retrospective on the New-York based photographer. He was known for his black and white portraits and documenting life in downtown New York City. He created iconic images of the underground queer scene during a time when the community was facing the devastating AIDS crisis. His photos vary in purpose and themes including LGBT advocacy, intimate portraits, landscapes, and documentation of the banalities of everyday life. The show was divided chronologically as well as thematically.

The images on view are intimate, elegant, and sometimes peculiar. I found the portraits to be the most captivating of his work; it was nice to see his portraits of famous creatives such as David Wojnarowicz and Susan Sontag. The entire exhibition is in black and white but never becomes redundant nor monotonous thanks to the diversity of subjects and the fascinating personalities he caught on film.