Robert Wilson-Vestry Street (II)

Robert Wilson looks away from the camera. Is he caught in a daydream, or merely deep in thought? The broad range of grays in the photograph—typical of Hujar’s attention to the richness of tone possible between black and white—lends the image a gritty softness.

In 1968 Wilson founded the Byrd Hoffman School of Byrds, which brought together professional and amateur performers to participate in works Wilson calls “operas.” These productions combined dance, theater, and visual art. Wilson has said, “I like bringing together all kinds of people and getting them to relate in new ways. They get out of it what they can.” In this, Wilson operated similarly to Hujar, who also worked with widely varied collaborators and aimed to push the boundaries of his discipline through these relationships.