It’s the largest exhibition of the photographer’s work ever brought together.
The Orlando Museum of Art has debuted its newest exhibit, which may be one of the best yet. “David LaChapelle: As the World Turns” is now on view until May 3.
The exhibit, a retrospective on LaChapelle’s 40-year career, is the first of its kind and is in Orlando largely due to LaChapelle’s relationship with OMA’s chief curator, Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, who has long loved his work.
“[LaChapelle] really wanted to do a show here, which is an honor for us, as this is the largest show he’s ever done,” said Cathryn Mattson, executive director and CEO of the Orlando Museum of Art. “What comes forth to me is the genuineness in everything that he does.”
You may know LaChapelle from his artistic and crazy photos of celebrities such as Amy Winehouse, David Beckham, Elton John, Kim Kardashian, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Muhammad Ali and Tupac Shakur.
But you may not be aware of LaChapelle’s depth and diversity of subjects, including his religious work. (He considers himself a devout follower of Christ.) On display are LaChapelle’s photo creations from his 2003 “Jesus is My Homeboy” series.
LaChapelle has also tediously recreated famous paintings using modern motifs and models, reinventing renowned works by Michaelangelo, Botticelli and Andy Warhol.
Other scenes observe society’s humor, flaws and familiarity through LaChapelle’s unique eye.
“It’s a sort of social commentary, but it’s not a social critique,” Claeysen-Gleyzon said. “He wants to bring beauty into this world, because he says there’s enough darkness. But, you see concerns or messages in some images.”
Greeting visitors is a remarkable photo of singer/songwriter Megan Thee Stallion posing as Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People.”
What may seem like fanciful photoshopping or AI-generated imagery is all real analog photos — All. Real. Analog. Photos! LaChapelle painstakingly builds each set with elaborate lighting and real people posing in amazing costumes (or lack thereof) with full makeup and hair. Smoke, multiple film exposures and layering effects round out his method of artistic photography.
“David loves sharing the details [on how he works],” Claeysen-Gleyzon said. “He likes talking about the mechanics … and the creative problem solving. That’s very important when looking at his work — I think you have an artist who had a vision and magically makes it happen.”
Claeysen-Gleyzon went on to say that originally LaChapelle didn’t readily share his photography techniques. But in the age of AI-generated imagery, it’s important for people to know his creative process, the results of which are on full display at the Orlando Museum of Art.
David LaChapelle recalls Delacroix’s Romantic “Liberty Leading the People” in this shoot for singer/songwriter Megan Thee Stallion’s documentary “In Her Words.” (LOGAN LAMPHERE)
Part of David LaChapelle’s “Jesus is My Homeboy” series, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper.” (LOGAN LAMPHERE)
OMA’s chief curator, Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, shows a wall of celebrity photos by David LaChapelle. (LOGAN LAMPHERE)
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OMA.org notes that the “David LaChapelle: As the World Turns” exhibition is intended for those who are 18 and older.