American photographer David LaChapelle returns to Mexico City after a 15-year absence to present an extensive body of work based on themes of love, miracles and other wild human experiences
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The exhibition David LaChapelle: Lovewhich will open to the public this Saturday at the Palacio de Minería, comprises iconic and unpublished works that illustrate the distinctive style and point of view that has made the photographer one of the most influential artists of today.
This retrospective comprises 89 works, created through various media, spanning a career spanning four decades. More than a collection of work, it is an exploration of dozens of stories and themes inspired by man’s observations and relationship with nature.
The exhibition includes Way of the Cross (2023), an unprecedented series in Latin America that gives new life to an ancient spiritual tradition. In it, LaChapelle performs 15 scenes of one of the most significant religious practices in history. Inspired by diverse examples, from medieval to postmodern times, the artist imagines these featured works in a new and vibrant way.
It also contemplates Spree (2019-2020), inspired by stories from the trans-Antarctic expedition of Shackleton, a colossal megacruise ship that is frozen in time. Highlights include new works based on Georgia O’Keeffe’s Hawaiian paintings, as well as a special gallery dedicated to LaChapelle’s early archives.
In 2009, the artist came to Mexico to exhibit at the Colegio de San Ildefonso. Delusions of reason It comprised 64 pieces produced between 1995 and 2008. Discovered by pop artist Andy Warhol, on that occasion the former fashion and celebrity photographer said: “My goal is to communicate my ideas and feelings with people. Like the great muralists, such as Diego Rivera, pop artists tried to communicate with people on the street, not just with a handful of elites or intellectuals. I find it very frustrating about contemporary art that, apparently, does not try to communicate with the public.
“Given that, my rebellion consists (not only) of being very clear about what I want to say – not giving it in the mouth either – but also of being ambiguous enough to express it beautifully, but also to have a point of view and a message that I would like.” convey.”
If on the one hand your work addresses existential questions that I try to solve
on another level, and through his figurative photography, he tries rescue the nude from the darkest part of pornography and show it again in a kind of renaissance in the way of seeing the naked figure
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He also expressed that When we see color photography we automatically see pornography. So, I try to offer an alternative to see the figure as a part of nature, of God, of creation, something of beauty, not just a reification.
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David LaChapelle: Love It will be exhibited until July at the Mining Palace (Tacuba 5, Historic Center).
The exhibition was organized by 212 PRODUCTIONS® in collaboration with the Mining Palace of the Faculty of Engineering of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.