A major retrospective exhibition featuring the work of American photographer David LaChapelle has opened at the historic Maschio Angioino in Naples, Italy, offering visitors an intimate survey of the artist's prolific career. The exhibition, which runs from December 8, 2021, through March 6, 2022, presents over 40 significant pieces spanning from the 1980s to the present day. Curated by Mario Martin and Vittoria Mainoldi, the show includes unseen photography from LaChapelle's personal archives alongside iconic masterworks and several new premieres. This site-specific installation explores the artist's profound representation of humanity during our contemporary era and solidifies his position among the world's most influential visual artists.
David LaChapelle emerged as one of the most important photographers of his generation, first gaining recognition in the 1980s for his vibrant, surreal, and often provocative images that blurred the lines between commercial and fine art photography. His work has appeared in major international publications, and he has photographed celebrities, political figures, and cultural icons while maintaining a distinctive aesthetic characterized by saturated colors, elaborate staging, and social commentary. The Naples exhibition uniquely presents some of LaChapelle's most personal hand-painted photographic negatives from the 1980s, created when he was a teenage artist exploring metaphysical concepts and processing loss against the devastating backdrop of the AIDS epidemic. These delicate early works reveal the foundation of his later artistic vision.
The exhibition creates a dialogue between LaChapelle's earliest experiments and his newest creations, demonstrating how he has returned to early photographic techniques while pursuing themes of spirituality and the sublime. One notable recent work included is "Behold" from 2017, which exemplifies his ongoing quest to capture transcendent experiences through the camera lens. This juxtaposition of past and present work allows viewers to trace the evolution of LaChapelle's artistic philosophy and technical approach over four decades. The curators have designed the show to highlight recurring motifs in his work, including explorations of consumerism, religion, mortality, and the human condition, all rendered through his signature hyper-realistic style.
Maschio Angioino, also known as Castel Nuovo, provides a dramatic and historically rich venue for this contemporary survey. The medieval castle's Capella Palatina offers an unexpected but powerful contrast to LaChapelle's modern, often futuristic imagery. Located on Via Vittorio Emanuele III in the heart of Naples, the castle has hosted numerous cultural events and exhibitions, but this installation represents a particularly significant moment in the city's contemporary art programming. The venue's ancient stone walls and architectural grandeur create a unique backdrop that enhances the thought-provoking nature of LaChapelle's work, inviting visitors to consider the relationship between historical and contemporary visual culture.
The exhibition is organized by Contemporanea and Ono Arte, two organizations dedicated to promoting contemporary art in Italy and internationally. Their collaboration brings this important survey to Naples as part of a broader effort to establish the city as a major destination for contemporary art enthusiasts. Visitors can access more information through the official exhibition website, mostralachapelle.com, as well as LaChapelle's personal website. The show represents a rare opportunity to experience such a comprehensive collection of the artist's work in one location, making it a must-see event for both longtime admirers and those newly discovering his influential photographic vision.
