'The Last Party: Nightworld in Photographs'

Photographer Nan Goldin has said she took her early party pictures to preserve the moments she might have been too stoned to remember. The resulting images are iconographic encapsulations of drunken revelry and embarrassing actions — rich artistic territory, and one captured with surprising breadth in this exhibition of party shots. While inspired by Anthony Haden-Guest's book The Last Party, a ponderous history of legendary megadisco Studio 54 and other New York hot spots, the salon-style show manages to be frothy, thoughtful, and international in scope. It brings together more than 60 photographers who have been captivated by life after dark. Though iconic, cocaine-addled party animals such as Andy, Liz, Calvin, Bianca, and Mick are well represented, the pictures go far beyond 1970s revivalism. Images by well-known art photographers—Brassaï, Diane Arbus, Helmut Newton, Nan Goldin, Aaron Siskind, Charles Gatewood, David LaChapelle—and paparazzi give some historical context to the notion of party action. The photographs summon up lasting memories of those ever fleeting moments of abandon. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 231 Grant, S.F. (415) 421-7770.