First exhibited in 1986 at the Festival of Arles and recently revived at MoMA in New York in early 2017, “The Ballad of Sexual Dependency” by American photographer Nan Goldin arrives to Italy for the first time at the Triennale di Milano with an exhibition/event curated by François Hébel and promoted by the Museum of Contemporary Photography at the Triennale.
The ballad of Nan Goldin
Considered to be a masterpiece in photography history, “The Ballad of Sexual Dependency” by American photographer Nan Goldin is on show at Milan’s Triennale.
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- 21 September 2017
- Milan
The Ballad is the most famous and successful work by Nan Goldin (b. Washington DC, 1953): a work in progress begun in the early ‘80s and then continually expanded and updated, which today is recognized as one of the masterpieces of the history of photography. It is an immersive work consisting of around 700 color images in a filmic sequence that lasts approximately 45 minutes and is accompanied by a soundtrack that ranges from punk to opera. A visual diary, at once autobiographical and universal, intimate and communal, about the fragility of human beings and the constant tension between individuality and the need to relate to others. A sequence of images that deals with life, sex, transgression, drugs, friendship and solitude.
Straddling the line between real life and artistic enquiry is the public persona of Nan Goldin, among the undisputed stars of international photography. Her visual language has conquered both the world of art and that of fashion, such that her images appear on the covers of major magazines and in the ad campaigns of the biggest brands of clothing, fragrances and accessories.
The installation consists of an amphitheater in which the audience can view the work and a video that is projected once per hour, preceded by an introduction and followed by an exhibition of printed materials and original posters from Goldin’s earliest performances in the pubs of New York City. The Milan show will be accompanied during the month of November by an exclusive concert by the Tiger Lillies at the Teatro dell’Arte. In addition to their own musical repertoire, the British trio will do a live performance of the soundtrack of Ballad.
until 26 September 2017
Nan Goldin. The Ballad of Sexual Dependency
Triennale di Milano
viale Alemagna 6, Milan