Reiner Leist

Reiner Leist is a Professor in Studio Art at Hunter College (CUNY), specializing in photography and long-term documentary projects. He previously taught at MIT (2000–2003). His work examines societal dynamics, history, and urban landscapes through photographic narratives. Notable series include 'Window' (20-year NYC documentation), 'South Africa: Blue Portraits' (1989–1993), and 'Another Country' (2014).

Leist's research interests center on the intersection of individual lives and societal structures, using photography to explore themes like memory, identity, and political change. Key exhibitions include solo shows at the Museum of Photography Berlin (2006/2007), Julie Saul Gallery (2006), and Walter Storms Galerie (2016). His monographs include Window: Eleven Septembers (2006) and Another Country (2014).

He has received awards such as the Kunstpreis Berlin Förderpreis (2006) and a Mellon Foundation Fellowship (2007-2008). His work is in collections like the New York Public Library and the Museum für Fotografie Berlin.

Leist's advising and grants include CUNY's Presidential Fund (2015) and multiple PSC-CUNY Research Awards. His projects often involve collaborations with institutions like the Norton Museum of Art and the Goethe Institute. He has also contributed to public art initiatives, such as the 'Green Library' installation in Tokyo (2002).