We present one of the defining photographic bodies of postmodernism. Explicitcontent by oscar colorado nates on previous occasions we have presented and commented on photographic series whose importance deserves a comment on their origin and constitutive elements. Previously we discussed bodies of work such as in the american west by avedon or country doctor by w. Eugene smith, among others . On this occasion we present one of the photographic series that redefine photography, its uses, possibilities, aesthetic alternatives, and redinitions of intimacy, personal life, and acceptance of the human being with all his failings, vulnerabilities, and strengths.
Today we present the entire series of the book the ballad of sexual dependence , by the american photographer nan goldin, and we offer a commentary to delve into this body of work, an authentic photographic watershed of the 1980s. Part one nancy before nan nancy goldin was born in washington dc in 1953.
Second part. The birth of the Ballad
The daughter of jewish parents, at the age of 11 she image manipulation service suffered the loss of her sister barbara, who suffered from mental illness and ended up committing suicide. “the loss of her sister has run through all of goldins work. It could almost be said that it is the reason why she decided to be a photographer.” 1 hyman goldin barbara goldin the selfdestruction of the sister led to nancy leaving the parental home at the age of 14.
She thereafter lived in various foster homes and attended an alternative school, the satya community school , in lincoln, massachusetts. 2 there she met david armstrong, who renamed her nancy to become, simply, Nan. 3 nan studies photography goldin began in photography at the age of 15. In 1977 she obtained a bachelor of fine arts degree from the school of the museum of fine arts in boston. 4 schoolofthemuseum1there he studied alongside david armstrong, philiplorca dicorcia and mark morrisroe. At that time goldin begins to use a pentax camera with a wide angle lens and a flash.
From the Times Square Show to almost losing an eye
Since then the flash light becomes a fundamental Buy Views Like part of his style. Curator elisabeth sussman says that the artificial light characteristic of flash is so important to goldins aesthetic that this type of lighting is replicated – perhaps unconsciously – even when goldin shoots in natural light . 5 a new family by 1978 nan goldin had moved to new york city and was continuing the photographic documentation of her new extended and chosen family whom she has always referred to as The tribe.
Henryhorenstein henry hornstein at that time goldin took some courses at the new england school of photography in boston. There he met henry horenstein, who appreciated his photographic After that, work and introduced him to larry clark s “tulsa”, which clearly inspired goldin. 6 larry clark from TulsaLarry clark from Tulsa After that, larry clark 5larry clark 2larry clark from TulsaTulsa 1971 larry clark tulsa 1971 larry clarktulsa 1971 larry clarklarry clark from Tulsa in 1976, nan moved to provincetown with david armstrong and his partner.
