The Make Believe exhibition is hosted at Fotografiska New York from September 9 to January 9, 2023
Since the 1980s, David LaChapelle has been creating some of the world’s most iconic photographs in fashion, music and art while, in practice, changing what celebrity photography is all about. Now, the artist’s first solo exhibition at a New York museum—and his largest in the U.S. to date—will chronicle those decades of pioneering work, opening in September at Fotografiska New York.
Entitled ‘Make Believe’ – possibly a reference to the fantastical symbolism that has become the photographer’s trademark – the exhibition will present over 150 works created between 1984 and 2022. Which will be presented in five thematic sections: religion, environment , gender identity, body image and the complex construction of reputation.
The origins of LaChapelle’s involvement with religion can be traced back to the height of the AIDS crisis in New York City in the 1980s. As a Catholic, the then-emerging artist used his exploration of the divine to cope with the loss of friends to AIDS. This gave rise to an affinity with Andy Warhol, and in 1986 LaChapelle photographed him against a shelf of several copies of the Bible; the photo shoot would ultimately be the last time Andy posed. “My earliest works from the 1980s were motivated by the expression of an all-loving God, the nature of the soul and heaven during a devastating period during which I lost many friends,” LaChapelle has said.
Warhol’s portrait is one of several celebrity portraits featured in ‘Make Believe’: there will be the last portrait of Michael Jackson alongside portraits of 1990s celebrities such as Tupac, David Bowie, Madonna and Britney Spears fashion campaigns in featuring Alexander McQueen and Naomi Campbell; photos of Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Dua Lipa and Lizzo.
For all this, faith offers a spiritual (and visual) foundation. “Over the years, I began to notice how in my personal struggles my faith in God kept me grounded and meanwhile the world of pop culture was moving away from religion and focusing more on fame, wealth and individualism” says LaChapelle. “It became clear that I could not separate my personal life from my work as a professional. I feel a responsibility to bring light to the world and do works that can uplift and serve humanity.”
The Make Believe exhibition is hosted at Fotografiska New York from September 9 to January 9, 2023.
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