Stream of Consciousness

The exhibition Annie Leibovitz: Stream of Consciousness is now open at Hauser & Wirth’s 22nd Street location in New York and will run until January 11th, 2025. This showcase features a diverse array of works from the renowned American photographer, emphasizing her distinctive associative thought processes instead of adhering to a conventional chronological framework. Through a blend of landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, Leibovitz crafts a fluid visual dialogue that reflects significant cultural moments from the past two decades.

Among the featured works is the Selldorf suite, photographed at the historic Frick Collection in New York shortly after Leibovitz’s visit with architect Annabelle Selldorf, who discussed the challenges of renovating the museum. This suite sets the tone for the exhibition, inviting visitors to engage with the artistic context behind the images. The collection also includes portraits of prominent figures such as Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and physicist Stephen Hawking, juxtaposed with historical artifacts like Abraham Lincoln’s top hat and Elvis Presley’s damaged television.

These curated pairings reflect Leibovitz’s ability to balance the personal and the universal, showcasing her talent for storytelling through photography. The exhibition not only celebrates Leibovitz’s illustrious career but also invites viewers to reflect on the deeper narratives within her work. With this groundbreaking exhibition, Leibovitz continues to solidify her status as a leading figure in contemporary photography.