Nicki Minaj “Virgin Mary”, photo David LaChapelle, 2020
“Flying over Naples” by Beatrice Brandini
At the Maschio Angioino a great exhibition traces the career of one of the most versatile and eclectic artists of contemporary photography (art): David LaChapelle.
Banner of the David LaChapelle exhibition
LaChapelle is a visionary artist, some of his photos have entered the collective imagination becoming iconic (I am thinking of those of Lady Gaga, Madonna, Naomi, etc.), always dreamlike, with very bright and fluo primary colors, with deliberately kitsch atmospheres, from chaos. Therefore, as with all great artists, immediately recognizable.
Katy Perry, adv ghd campaign, photo by David LaChapelle, 2011
Born in America, precisely in Connecticut, at the age of seventeen he made his first cover for Interview Magazine, founded and directed by Andy Warhol, from there came those for Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone; New York Times Magazine, and many more.
“Do what you want. As long as they look good” with these words Andy Warhol assumed David LaChapelle ad Interview.
Britney Spears photographed by David LaChapelle on the cover of Rolling Stone, 1999
“Never Enough”, Elton John photographed by David LaChapelle, 1997
Author of many successful video clips (Dirrty by Cristina Aguilera, It’s My Life by No Doubt, I‘m Glad by Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Amy Winehouse, Elton John …), famous monographs, documentaries, such as the one made in 2007 The Universe of Keith Haring, on the famous master of pop art. Shots of David Bowie and Michael Jackson, two of the characters he loved the most. Of advertising campaigns for H&M, Armani Jeans, Coca Cola, Lavazza, and many other brands.
“La Pietà” with Courtney Love, photo David LaChapelle, 2006
A milestone in his career took place in 2006, when during a trip to Rome, he was impressed by Michelangelo’s masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel. From here he decided to devote himself to the creation of works of art, many of which centered on Angels and Madonnas, even the beautiful ones that are part of The Deluge inspired by the Universal Flood.
Nicky and Paris Hilton photographed by David LaChapelle, 2001
In Naples we can admire this latest work together with unpublished works from his private collection. It is the second time that he exhibits in Naples (the first time in 2006 at the Capodimonte Museum), and this time he wanted to be present at the inauguration, demonstrating an excitement very close to happiness.
Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow photographed by David LaChapelle, 1996
The shots of LaChapelle, real film sets, where the subjects become actors and protagonists of a baroque, grotesque, hyper-realistic imaginary, are present in the largest museums and galleries around the world, awarded with international awards, making its author, one of the most published photographers in the world.
Couture Story, 1995 photo by David LaChapelle
The photos of this great artist can create a debate, they may like it or not, but they certainly cannot leave indifferent the viewer who looks at them. This artist has always detected a humanity in search of salvation, attracted and seduced by excessive consumerism, but also repentant. A message that has characterized his work from the very beginning, anticipating by decades what, especially today, this pandemic has revealed by exposing humanity.
David LaChapelle in front of some of his shots in the Naples exhibition
Good life to everyone!
Beatrice