David LaChapelle

So sad I missed his exhibit here in NYC :(

i like how he tries to tell people he didnt go to college.....

but he did. school of visual arts in ny

www.davidlachapelle.com/interview.html

I think he speaks for himself here - and talks a lot about 'style' unfortunately he doesn't get much beyond this.

Whilst I can appreciate the surreal excess of this deeply commercial snapper. & I really do quite enjoy his 'style'...

I feel what DLC is to photography..... George W Bush is to the English language : full of powerful promise - yet, twisted , ignorant , clumsy, delighted with himself ... & in only my personal opinion here.... vile.

There is no critical dialogue , social comprehension or even [seemingly from his own evasive waffle] any self examination in this work of any substance or 'artistic intent' - it is just a ceaseless churning the commercial & confused visual prostitution he learnt at the masters knee early in his career.
But even Warhol knew what he was doing in his time.He wasn't floundering about with visual language - he was keenly socially aware.
I can admire this guys work but, find his self published ignorance .... utterly repugnant.

He himself squats - confidently , like a small child who has just learnt to defecate.... in any remotely controversial or culturally sensitive arena in the hopes [& oh how desperate that hope is] of inheriting a veneer of artistic tension...

I feel ...On behalf of the producer - it's always a huge opportunity & privilege , as well as admirable to gain access to this kind of prolific commercial frankenstien - shame, shame, shame on them for failing to ask a single substantial question, worse, fawning & giggling over some confused image of a model posed as a suicide bomber ... whilst DLC witters on about cardboard being such a 'humble' material.

Really, I mean really.

you, the American people, with your incredible history of writers & critics, of reportage, of social justice of cultural influence on this world.........

deserve a great deal more...

Hey Mmmm why do you think it is a waste of time?

I would love to know your opinion.

Peace
J

This is awesome. Great questions for such an awesome subject. Congrats, what a wonderful pod.

What a waste of time.

I have seen his work but I did not know his name, now I do. His work is very though provoking. I would like to go to one of his exhibits.

If he ever had a showing in Dallas it would be picketed by the fundamentalist.

PEACE
J

It was really cool to see such a personal side of the man behind the camera. Well done!

Amazing! What a great look at a brilliant artist.

siiiiick

love his work.

He is an amazing photographer and a terrible music video director (videography at link).

He's my favourite photographer of all times. Thanks for this!

He has amazing work!

Thanks for this interview, Jael. It's great to meet the man behind these surreal images. He really is a phenomenally unique artist, and he has essentially re-defined the craft of photography!

A beautiful exaggeration of life, indeed.

Redefining the conversational image. Brilliant