The Ballad of Sexual Dependency

American photographer Nan Goldin's seminal work, "The Ballad of Sexual Dependency," is an autobiographical visual record of her close friends, lovers, and family.

These works, primarily shot between 1979 and 1986, document the New York subculture of the late 70s and early 80s, depicting drugs, violence, post-punk, homosexuality, wild parties, and lonely figures. It's like a condensed essence of a metropolis full of various emotions. Nan Goldin defines herself and her friends as a "tribe," and through her lens, she captures the daily happenings, forming a visual diary.

"The Ballad of Sexual Dependency" was first published in 1986. Over the past 30 years, her photographic works have been widely discussed, becoming a modern classic and influencing and inspiring many emerging photographers. Her rich and abundant colors and frank, sincere style transcend aesthetic appearances, drawing viewers into the life memories she creates. These photos capture the psychedelic and the real, evoking perceptions of color, smell, and sound, allowing people to recall forgotten pasts and re-experience the density of life.

This book is a 2012 reprint, also published by Aperture. The reprint specifically rescanned each of Nan Goldin's original works, providing a more refined and delicate reproduction. This work not only reveals Nan Goldin's private world but also offers a glimpse into the worldview of the 1980s New Wave and the significant differences between male and female photographic languages.