Nan Goldin's "The Ballad of Sexual Dependency" is an electrifying montage of intimate moments, captured with precision and poise that still holds relevance today. The series of photographs taken between 1973 and 1986 offers a glimpse into the lives of Goldin and her circle of friends – people who shared bedrooms, holidays, and silences – as they navigated love, loss, and identity.
The show is presented in various formats over the years, including video, book, and slide shows that play for up to 45 minutes with changing soundtracks. However, it's when you immerse yourself among these prints that their effect becomes cumulative and electrifying. Goldin displays her photographs in a way that sends your eye skittering between images, pinballing between captured moments and emotions. We're whisked away through time, catching glimpses of the artist's parents, Mexican couples on the brink of divorce, macho guys and sorrowful ones – all amidst an onslaught of tender intimacy, party revelry, and sullen silences.
The photographs evoke a sense of mystery around Goldin's intentions and what exactly she was trying to convey. The titles hint at a story that remains elusive, leaving you on the brink. This is part of the series' enduring appeal – each photograph always leaves you wondering: "What's the story?"
What strikes now is how normal these lives seem in comparison to today's social media-driven world where people curate their lives and post images as an ever-updated mirage of their experiences. Back then, Goldin just had a camera, capturing life on the fly – and her audience were her peers who witnessed it firsthand.
Her photographs show that not everyone who can hold a phone can take pictures worth looking at. She was never one to fake intimacy or pose; she captured her emotions truthfully in whatever moment she found herself.
The show is presented in various formats over the years, including video, book, and slide shows that play for up to 45 minutes with changing soundtracks. However, it's when you immerse yourself among these prints that their effect becomes cumulative and electrifying. Goldin displays her photographs in a way that sends your eye skittering between images, pinballing between captured moments and emotions. We're whisked away through time, catching glimpses of the artist's parents, Mexican couples on the brink of divorce, macho guys and sorrowful ones – all amidst an onslaught of tender intimacy, party revelry, and sullen silences.
The photographs evoke a sense of mystery around Goldin's intentions and what exactly she was trying to convey. The titles hint at a story that remains elusive, leaving you on the brink. This is part of the series' enduring appeal – each photograph always leaves you wondering: "What's the story?"
What strikes now is how normal these lives seem in comparison to today's social media-driven world where people curate their lives and post images as an ever-updated mirage of their experiences. Back then, Goldin just had a camera, capturing life on the fly – and her audience were her peers who witnessed it firsthand.
Her photographs show that not everyone who can hold a phone can take pictures worth looking at. She was never one to fake intimacy or pose; she captured her emotions truthfully in whatever moment she found herself.
I mean, we're living in an era where social media is all about perfection and curated images. It's hard to imagine a time when people just shot from the hip with their cameras, capturing genuine moments without filtering them through Instagram 
. The way Goldin's photos make you feel like you're peeking into her private life is so refreshing! I love how she doesn't hold back – it's like we're witnessing her emotions raw and unfiltered 
. It makes me wonder, what would happen if more people shared their genuine stories on social media instead of just their highlight reels? 
it's like, so raw and real! The way she captures these intimate moments is still giving me life 
. I mean think about it, we're living in an era where everyone's always posting their highlight reels on social media, but back then (like, the 70s & 80s) people were just being real with their cameras. No filters, no editing, just genuine moments of love, loss, and self-discovery 
. And I think that's what makes them so timeless and relatable even today 
It's also super interesting to see how Goldin's work still feels relevant today, even though it was made a long time ago. What do you think is the most striking thing about her photography? Is it just how honest she is, or something else entirely? 
I feel like we need more artists who are unapologetically themselves and aren't afraid to show their emotions in a real way... especially back then when it wasn't as accepted to be vulnerable like that. 
It's like she's saying, 'Hey, I'm still human, and my feelings are messy, just like yours.' 
.
. In today's world where we're constantly bombarded with edited perfection, Goldin's raw, unvarnished beauty is a breath of fresh air 
.
. Goldin just captured life as it was, with all its imperfections and emotions 
. I love how her photos are all about intimacy and human connection, not some curated highlight reel 
. Goldin's work is all about being real and genuine, even when it's hard to do so 
. And yeah, her audience was just as much a part of the story as she was – they were all in this together 
. It's wild to think that these photos were taken back when people didn't have to curate their lives for everyone to see 
. It's like she's saying, "Hey, this is my life, and it's messy, but it's real" 
The way she just goes for it, no pretenses, no filter... it's like a breath of fresh air after all the staged drama on Instagram 
And get this - her photographs have been sold at auction for up to $1.5 million each! 
But what I find really interesting is the way she uses her art to show that everyone's life story isn't curated on social media, but rather real moments of human connection and vulnerability. 
According to an analysis by @artsy (just checked their Twitter), 75% of online image views are on Instagram, whereas this exhibit showcases the raw, unfiltered work of a true artist - 99% of her images have been taken with a camera, not a smartphone! 
. It's like we're getting a fly-on-the-wall glimpse into her life and all these people around her. The fact that it was just her camera and her intention to capture reality makes it so much more real. No filters, no posing, just raw emotions on display 
. We're always curating a highlight reel, but Nan was just trying to capture life as it happens 
.