Nan Goldin: This Will Not End Well

The Neue Nationalgalerie presents “This Will Not End Well”, the first comprehensive German retrospective of Nan Goldin’s work. Goldin shares a deep connection with Berlin, calling it her true home and a place where she’s felt most at ease. Designed by architect Hala Wardé, the exhibition spans six buildings, each tailored to the artwork it houses. Despite its seemingly ominous title, the exhibition reflects Goldin’s ironic humor and unyielding zest for life, as described by curator Fredrik Liew.

The retrospective includes major works such as “The Ballad of Sexual Dependency” (1981–2022), “The Other Side” (1992–2021), “Sisters, Saints and Sibyls” (2004–2022), “Fire Leap” (2010–2022), “Memory Lost” (2019–2021), and “Sirens” (2019–2020). Goldin’s art chronicles a generation defined by freedom before AIDS and life beyond societal norms. Her iconic slideshows, updated over 40 years with multimedia elements, form the core of her practice.

Goldin’s social activism, including founding P.A.I.N. in 2017 to hold the Sackler family accountable for the opioid crisis, highlights her commitment to justice. Her influence extends beyond art into fashion and advertising, reshaping visual expression.