Aperture 239: Ballads

Published in 1986, Nan Goldinª¡s Ballad of Sexual Dependency, with its fresh, unflinching portrayal of the photographerª¡s circle of friends, dramatically changed the course of photography. Decades on, the series retains its searing power, influencing new generations of artists. Goldin herself remains a bold, singular force in our culture. Recently, she has taken on the Sackler family, shining a light on their role in creating Americaª¡s opioid crisis. Goldinª¡s trenchant activism is a reminder of the artistª¡s power to effect social change. The Ongoing Ballad issue of Aperture magazine is organized around the themes contained within the original balladª¢intimacy, friendship, community, love, sex, trauma, musicª¢while also honoring the urgent role of the artist as a force for cultural and social change.