David LaChapelle: American Jesus

By Emily Kropp in Culture Features
on July 13, 2010

The iconic photographer's latest exhibit at the Paul Kasmin gallery features the late King of Pop, shot just before his death last year.

David LaChapelle’s latest series of photographs feature Michael Jackson, photographed just before his death, as an “American Jesus.” LaChapelle counted Jackson among his close friends, and portrays him here as a martyr: “Martyrs are persecuted and Michael was persecuted. Michael was innocent and martyrs are innocent,” he explained to WWD. The images strike a particularly tragic chord in light of Jackson’s passing just over a year ago. Also included in the exhibit is a reimagining of Botticelli's Venus starring Naomi Campbell – if there's one thing LaChapelle seems to feed on, it's controversy.

Check out the exhibit at the Paul Kasmin Gallery in Chelsea, now through September 18^th.

What do you think of David LaChapelle's work, or these photos in general?

http://www.wwd.com/eyescoop/eye/david-lachapelles-new-roll-3179421?src=nl/mornReport/20100713#

4 Comments

ReneFragoso • over 1 year ago
Besides a few pictures of his early work I find Lachapelle's images vain, pretentious and unattractive.
Sherród Faulks • over 1 year ago
I absolutely love David LaChapelle if only for the shock factor. And I think his use of color is easily the strongest I've ever seen. He really knows how to use color semantically and aesthetically.
Casey Kettleson • over 1 year ago
Well, Rene, I'm with you 100%
Emily Kropp • over 1 year ago
I'm not a huge fan of his work myself, but I am always interested to see what he'll do next.