An A to Z of David LaChapelle

Let us take you through an A to Z of the fashion photographer, film-maker and fine art photographer that is David LaChapelle, whose work is so undeniably recognisable and distinct that one cannot help but ponder the impact he has had on contemporary culture.

A is for Amanda Lepore

Taking inspiration from Andy Warhol’s Marilyn (Red) pop art, LaChapelle recreated the classic imagery photographing transsexual model and muse Amanda Lepore, the self-proclaimed ‘glamorous blonde bombshell living in NYC’. His work with Lepore challenges gender roles and plastic surgery. The exaggerated and overtly feminine features that she possesses confronts the pretence of beauty standards regarding sexuality.

B is for Black Friday at the Apocalypse Mall and Casino

This was one of the many Kardashian family Christmas cards, shot by David LaChapelle. The Kardashians represent modern culture. The art world does not accept the Kardashians, yet their show is watched in 80 countries, making it the largest reality show in the history of TV, proving where our interest as a society lies. We look at pop culture as a guide as to where we are going as a society, and instead of engaging in personal interactions, where we discuss our own lives, thoughts and feelings, we discuss the lives of famous people. We follow celebrities on social media and thus are given a false sense of intimacy. Brands are exploiting our obsession with celebrity to tell us what to buy. The LaChapelle image is not condemning the Kardashians, but merely making a comment on our modern society. He envisioned a mall in Las Vegas that joins Caesar’s Palace to the Bellagio. Las Vegas and decadence go hand in hand. Our society’s moral and cultural decline is characterized by our excessive indulgence in pleasure and luxury. Decadence is the Kardashians. The Christmas card outraged people because it was not about Christmas, but it was really about what Christmas has become.

C is for Christianity

It is not a surprise that many a Christian has been shocked or offended by the work of David LaChapelle. Often using biblical imagery in his photographs, he sometimes depicts celebrities as literal God-like figures, reflecting the way society views celebrity culture. In his ‘American Jesus’ series, LaChapelle recreates Michael Jackson (a lookalike) as a modern day martyr. He challenges society’s ability to both erect and deconstruct a person on the basis of their character. LaChapelle challenges that we as society destroyed Michael Jackson because he was different from everybody else and we did not feel comfortable with that. Like a martyr, Jackson was proven innocent yet persecuted

D is for Diesel

Despite LaChapelle currently taking a break from the flashy, celebrity-obsessed photography that made him famous, he still partakes in commercial work that he believes has the power to evoke emotion and bring about change. Having worked with Diesel before on a 1955 campaign, recreating the famous 1945 Victory Photograph – featuring two male sailors kissing - he agreed to photograph another advertisement for Diesel titled ‘Make Love Not Walls’, this year. The suggestive title for the campaign hints towards the topical news regarding Donald Trump and his desire to build wall between the USA and Mexico, or as LaChapelle puts it “this crazy lunatic talking about building a wall in Mexico”. Visually speaking, the ad portrays a diverse range of people; people from the LGBTQ community, people of different races and backgrounds. There is great political significance in the campaign, and in the midst of such fragile times, one looks at pop culture as a means of finding clarity and guidance.

E is for Elton John: The Red Piano

In 2004, Elton John along with the help of his directory-designer, David LaChapelle, changed the face of the typical Las Vegas show. ‘The Red Piano’ show was held at Caesars Palace and ran for a total of 3 years, and is estimated to be a $74 million-grossing engagement. The show consisted of Elton John’s 15 most famous songs, including “Your Song” and “Bennie and the Jets”, and each song with its dazzling visuals and soulful approach was given new meaning. In true LaChapelle style, the imagery included phallic symbols, bare breasts and hypnotic big-screen videos, making it one of the most visually appealing and awe-inspiring shows to hit Vegas.

F is or Fine Art Photography

Despite LaChapelle’s commercial, hyper-stylized, celebrity work being the foremost reason for his success, after retreating to Hawaii to live in seclusion, he decided to return to fine art photography and has described his return as being reborn. Although LaChapelle has been pursuing a shift in career, his fine art photography still holds a strong resemblance with his iconic style that everyone loves and knows so well; each photograph rich in detail and vibrant with saturated colours. The one thing that has changed however, is his subject matter. Now a rare occurrence are the flashy celebrity exposés, and in place of these, are a mixture of still lifes, images that fuse art history with modern life, as well as surreal landscapes that comment on environmental issues. On a whole, it seems that the photographer’s subject matter has matured, while still maintaining his signature style.

G is for Gaga Book

After releasing the magnificent album ‘The Fame Monster’, popstar Lady Gaga roped in fellow popstar Kanye West and fashion photographer David LaChapelle to create some star-studded photographs. A match made in heaven, Gaga and LaChapelle collaborated to make some truly sensational images that capture both stars’ outrageous style and personality. With super vibrant colours and some fierce fashion, the images are really a vision to look at.

H is for Hawaii

In 2006, David LaChapelle moved to Hawaii. After working on his documentary ‘RIZE’, he realised that he had worked for 11 months straight without a day off. As a result of this awakening, he bought his rainforest home in Hawaii and retreated there to live in seclusion. It was there, that the photographer regained his passion for fine art photography and returned to his roots, leaving the glitz and glamour of celebrity culture behind.

I is for Interview Magazine

The infamous Interview Magazine is where it all started for LaChapelle. After he finished his studies at the North Carolina School of Arts, he was given his first job by none other than the iconic artist, Andy Warhol. He worked as a photographer for the magazine and it wasn’t long before his photographs of celebrities began to catch the eye of other magazine companies and people from the industry. As he matured as both a person and as an artist, LaChapelle began working for various magazines like Vogue, Rolling Stone and i-D, photographing the Hollywood stars; Interview Magazine was only the beginning.

J is for Jesus Is My Homeboy

The inspiration for this particular series of photographs was taken from a T-shirt that LaChapelle saw a boy wearing which said “Jesus Is My Homeboy”. Startled by the simplicity of the tee’s slogan, the photographer felt intrigued into exploring what Jesus and his 12 apostles would be like if they had been present in the 21st century. Much to the astonishment of Christians, LaChapelle created a series of images that placed his Jesus next to gangsters, drug dealers, prostitutes and the likes. Despite the obvious controversy that this sparked, the photographer makes a fair point in stating that Jesus’ 12 apostles were not noblemen, but really just a bunch of misfits and so why would Jesus not associate with such people nowadays?

K is for Krumped

Not only is David LaChapelle renowned for his photography but also for his stage design and music video direction. Showing great skills in all areas of visual media, it was only going to be a matter of time before the artist tried his hand at film-making. Upon shooting the music video for Christina Aguilera’s ‘Dirty’, he happened across krumping, a form of dance. In 2004, he was an award-winner at the Sundance film festival for his short documentary ‘Krumped’, which was then later developed into his feature film ‘RIZE’. ‘Krumped’ explores the lives of African American youths who express themselves through dance. Krumping, with its African tribal influences, has such a strong and vibrant energy that resonates with every inch of the photographer; it was no wonder that he possessed the desire to share it with the rest of the world.

L is for Leonardo DiCaprio

Although having shot many celebrities, possibly one of the most lucrative stars that he has shot is of course Leonardo DiCaprio. At 21 years old and just 2 years before he starred in Titanic, DiCaprio was photographed by the fashion photographer and posed for several bizarre shots in true LaChapelle style. The series of photographs include the young actor posing with a sea shell against his ear and a sultry look on his face, or casually walking a white horse, or raising a giant, inflatable hamburger above his head. But the most iconic image to emerge from the series is probably the photograph which features DiCaprio lounging across a table of exotic fruits, while holding three bananas in-between his fingers. The photograph so saturated in colour, and erotic in pose is everything that you want and expect from the illustrious photographer. Despite the homoeroticism that seems to be apparent in the shot, David LaChapelle insists that it was not meant to come across in such a way, but it was about youth and vitality. Whatever way you want to look at it, there’s no denying that the photograph has such an aura about it that you can’t quite seem to keep your eyes off it.

M is for Michelangelo's 'Pieta'

David LaChapelle is no stranger to fusing art history with contemporary culture. For his iconic take on Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’, the photographer paralleled arguably the most famous death scene in art history with the death of his friend Brett. Despite controversy over the image which features Courtney Love and a Kurt Cobain look-a-like, LaChapelle remains adamant that the photograph is not supposed to depict the star-crossed lovers. While thinking about ‘Pieta’ and how the sculpture has touched so many people over the centuries, the photographer ­began to think about all the other deaths throughout history, all the small deaths. This is when he thought about his friend Brett. Brett was the delivery boy turned model turned lover turned dear friend of David LaChapelle. Through Brett’s drug addiction, they lost touch until one day the photographer received a call from a woman that he did not know, crying down the phone exclaiming that Brett whom had fathered her child had died of a drug overdose. This mental image of the woman holding Brett in her arms in her run-down apartment stuck with LaChapelle and this is who he envisioned in his ‘Pieta’ portrait. Although ‘Pieta’ represents all the little deaths and is open to interpretation, LaChapelle maintains that the photograph will always be about Brett for him.

N is for Nudity

In today’s culture and society, the idea of the nude body being on display is often regarded as dirty or not for the eyes of children, yet the human body is arguably one of the most natural things in this world. At least David LaChapelle thinks so. Although somewhat provocative are his photographs, does that mean that there has to be an entire restricted area in a gallery only for adults, as there was in his exhibition in Seoul, Korea; a compromise LaChapelle did not want to make but reluctantly agreed to so that all of his works could be shown. He compares today’s outlook on nudity with that of Michelangelo’s time, stating that nudity was perfectly acceptable to be portrait through art and sculpture even inside a church, yet today the naked body is taboo. LaChapelle continues to challenge the somewhat conservative attitude of modern society, through his photography.

O is for Offensive

David LaChapelle may be known for his outstanding photography, art direction and filmography. However the artist is no stranger to the world of controversy. Often using imagery that depicts nudity, homosexuality and Christianity, his work has often offended people who are not open to the idea of such content. Although LaChapelle maintains that all are entitled to their own opinions, he requests that is it not time perhaps that we look past such issues; that we should not take his art so literally, that we should see the humour, that we should accept the human body as a natural part of life and view homosexuality the way we view heterosexuality.

P is for Pamela Anderson

LaChapelle has worked with the infamous Pamela Anderson for a long time now and has over the course of that time, photographed her in numerous ensembles, sets and scenes. Always staying true to her perfect, Barbie-like form, Anderson almost parodies herself in the photographs. This is particularly true in LaChapelle’s ‘Miracle Tan’. Standing in a tanning booth is Miss Anderson, showering herself with the iconic Bay-Watch tan. The photo captures a very humorous scene and is almost a satirical depiction of the celebrity and her lifestyle.

Q is for Queer

David LaChapelle often depicts scenes of a homoerotic nature. His males models oiled up and posing in sexually suggestive positions. Whether the imagery is supposed to represent homosexuality or not, many art critics have been quick to draw attention to the queer essence of many of the artist’s photographs. This particular photograph of footballer, David Beckham shows the sporting star lifting weights with his tight, denim shorts unbuttoned. Although the star is notably heterosexual, his image in this photograph is very homoerotic.

R is for Rihanna's 'S&M' Music Video

In 2010, Rihanna released her hit song and music video S&M. The song was a controversy for numerous reasons, one being the raunchy nature of the song and visuals, and another being that it landed the artist in a court feud with David LaChapelle. The photographer intended to sue the popstar for stealing and ripping off several of his works in her music video, however the dispute was settled. When analysing scenes from the music video and comparing them to photographs by LaChapelle, it is clear to see that there is a definitive similarity between the two, in lighting, imagery and atmosphere.

S is for Surrealism

It is not an unknown fact that the photography David LaChapelle produces is anything close to realistic, which is truly part of his charm and quite possibly the reason for his success. His work is always filled with surreal imagery and iconography, glazed with saturated tones. Upon viewing his photographs, you are transported into a different world, where the colours are vibrant and the imagery is so strong that you can’t help lose yourself. It is almost disconcerting however, as his photographs often depict a reflection on society but in a surrealist manner and thus you feel both connected and disconnected at the same time.

T is for Take Me To Church

As mentioned previously, the photographer has also tried his hand at videography and has again succeeded in creating visually stunning music videos, one in particular being Take Me to Church for the artist Hozier. Set in a studio with crystal clear windows that allow for the beautiful forest background to shine through, the music video showcases the bad boy ballet dancer Sergei Polunin. The spiritual essence of the song is reflected through the video and the passion of the dancing signifies the inner torment of the dancer and the lyrics of the song. Both the song and music video are both so powerful and a vision to the senses.

U is for Unicorn

One of David LaChapelle’s most visually mesmerising and surreal photographs was from his series Highway Unicorn, which featured a ghostly model caressing a horse which had been transformed into the mythical beast for the shoot. With the iridescent rainbow pattern on the model’s dress, along with the make-believe animal and the dreamy background, the image is a wonderland of colour and fantasy.

V is for Venus

As you already know, David LaChapelle takes much of his inspiration from art history and often recreates the “greats”, totally revamping and reimagining them. Layering his photographs with vibrancy and pop culture references, the photographer put his own spin on the classic Botticelli ‘Venus’. ‘Rebirth of Venus’, LaChapelle’s version took elements of the original, like the pose and stance of Venus, however mixed it up slightly. For example, he used two other male, God-like models, one of which holds a shell over her nether-region – in history, the shell has often held connotations with the female reproductive organ. Shot amongst a rain forest in Hawaii, the image is dazzling and a perfect tribute to the original.

W is for Warhol

Andy Warhol, the God of pop art has notably been titled as the man who discovered LaChapelle. It was he, who first gave the photographer a job at his Interview magazine after noticing the potential and flare in the young photographer’s work. Warhol was not only David LaChapelle’s mentor but the two artists also built a strong friendship and working relationship.

X is for X-Rated

The works of David LaChapelle are sometimes so explicit that they could be considered as X-rated. Often depicting scenes of nudity and a sexual content, the imagery used has not always be considered as art but often as pornographic imagery. As in all cases for art, it is subjective and really depends on the mentality of the person viewing it; what someone might perceive as pornographic, another person may perceive the human body and sexuality as a natural part of human existence and so can look past the explicitness and see the art.

Y is for Youth

LaChapelle has often used children as his models. Possibly one the most famous images is his ‘The Superpower’ which features a body-builder flexing his muscles. Surrounding the ultra-toned, mega-tanned and oily muscle man is a bunch of skinny kids, also all flexing their “muscles”, albeit looking a lot less tanned and lot less muscly. The photograph is one that is very striking as you can’t quite help notice the stark difference between the man’s physique to that of the boys, the contrasting skin tones and the USA colour scheme that is plastered all over it.

Z is for Zucker fürs Auge/ Eye Candy

In 2006, director Hilka Sinning made a documentary on the photographer David LaChapelle. The documentary named ‘ZUCKER FÜRS AUGE DIE VERRÜCKTE WELT DES DAVID LACHAPELLE ‘ or in English ‘EYE CANDY - THE CRAZY WORLD OF DAVID LACHAPELLE’, basically goes behind the scenes and explores the photographer and the way he works. It allows you to gain an insight into the weird and wonderful world that he lives and how his photoshoots transpire from idea to outcome. Featuring interviews with the photographer himself and other celebrities that he has worked with and photographed, the documentary makes for a really interesting watch!

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