Guided Tour of Peter Hujar's "Rialto" Exhibit for AIDS Activists

At the request of AIDS activist Ivy Kwan Arce, curator Peter Doroshenko of The Ukrainian Museum will generously be giving an exclusive tour of the exhibit "Peter Hujar: Rialto." This special event is a gathering for ACT UP alumni, current members, and AIDS activists, providing an opportunity to see many of Hujar's early works, showcasing his life and artistry before AIDS. This exhibit holds particular significance, as it is located in the East Village, a place that was home to Hujar and profoundly impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Peter Hujar was a leading figure in the avant-garde counterculture of downtown New York in the 1970s and 1980s until his death in 1987 from AIDS. Born into a Ukrainian immigrant family, he settled in the East Village. The exhibition "Peter Hujar: Rialto" features 75 of Hujar’s earliest photographs (1955-1969), including three key series: Southbury (1957), Florence (1958), and the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo (1963). It also showcases his renowned black-and-white portraits of the Downtown bohemian scene, including figures like Iggy Pop, Janis Joplin, and the ‘orgasmic man’ from Hanya Yanigihara’s "A Little Life."

Curator Peter Doroshenko will invite some of Hujar’s friends to share personal stories and insights about the artist. This guided tour offers a unique glimpse into Hujar’s world, highlighting the importance of his work and its influence on art and culture.

Ivy Kwan Arce, HIV+ since 1990, an ACT UP member since her diagnosis, and the president of the board of the Treatment Action Group (TAG), emphasizes the importance of this gathering. Guided by conversations with Mattie Beaton, a current ACT UP member, they both recognized the profound impact of Peter Hujar's life and work on both art and activism. Hujar's honesty and courage have guided and transformed generations, influencing many artists, including David Wojnarowicz. This gathering is an opportunity to further explore Hujar’s impact on art and AIDS activism, including how Hujar's work has paved the way for others to live full, self-actualized lives and fight one of the deadliest, stigmatized, and most politicized illnesses of our lifetime.

Why Attend:

• Opportunity to see 75 of Hujar’s earliest photographs.
• Insights and stories from friends of Hujar.
• Exclusive guided tour by curator Peter Doroshenko.
• Connection with ACT UP alumni, current members, and AIDS activists.

Registration:

Registration is available on Eventbrite as a private event. The first 40 tickets are free, thanks to a generous donation covering the cost for the initial registrants. After the first 40 tickets, the museum is offering a discounted price for the tour at $12 per person. The museum can comfortably accommodate 40 attendees, with a maximum capacity of 60.

Health and Safety:

Masks are strongly recommended for attendance to ensure everyone's safety.

About the Exhibit:

Born to an immigrant family, Hujar was raised exclusively in the Ukrainian language until age five. His difficult upbringing influenced his artistry significantly. He found solace in photography, eventually establishing his roots in New York City's East Village, also known as the Ukrainian Village. Hujar's studio became a hub for creative minds, and his work continues to inspire and resonate with many.

We look forward to reconnecting and re-aligning on our commitment to fight and end AIDS.

• In 2023, 1.3 million [1 million–1.7 million] people were newly infected with HIV, compared to 3.3 million [2.6 million–4.2 million] people in 1995.
• Women and girls accounted for 44% of all new infections in 2023. (cited by UNAIDS 2023)

Join us for a private in-depth tour about the artist, his work, and his powerful legacy led by Peter Doroshenko, the curator of the exhibition and director of the museum. The Ukrainian Museum is pleased to host this event for AIDS activists, the Treatment Action Group, and members of ACT UP NY in honor of Peter Hujar's impactful life.

Buy tickets here.