Holy War by David Lachapelle via ArtObserved
David Lachapelle’s “Auguries of Innocence” collection is everything but austere. Overt images of violence, sexual practice, religious imagery, and glutenous materialism are synergized into monumental collages.
Notables in attendance included Andre Balazs, Gavin Brown, Hope Atherton, Amanda Lepore, and Tony Shafrazi. Lepore and Lachapelle have had a prolific history of collaboration, one of the most famous being Lachapelle’s New York exhibit “Artists and Prostitutes 1985-2005,” in which Lepore inhabited a voyeuristic themed life-sized set.
This is the fourth solo show Lachapelle has exhibited at Shafrazi Gallery, the first being his “All American” show in 2002. The exhibit will be open to the public until October 24.
David Lachapelle Official Website
“Less about the Lil Kim’s of the world and more about its lil problems” [Timeout NY]
Tony Shafrazi Official Website
The Porcelain Twinz at “Auguries of Innocence” ArtObserved original photo
The first part of Lachapelle’s exhibit depicts a series of mangled cars, each piece standing about seven feet in height. Formed from cardboard, Lachapelle layers individual slices of the wrecks atop one another to create an extruded assemblage of defunct engineering. Perhaps Lachapelle’s most enduring piece is “Holy War,” which depicts two opposing sides separated by a snarled windmill. To the left, a group of dead soldiers are scattered about. A Blackberry is in one soldier’s hand as others bloodily weep. To the right, a biblical reference to Joseph stands picturesquely with sheep and child by his side.
North Gallery of “Auguries of Innocence” ArtObserved original photo
Tony Shafrazi Gallery Entrance at “Auguries of Innocence” ArtObserved original photo
David Lachapelle and Amanda Lepore at “Auguries of Innocence” ArtObserved original photo
In front of “Art in Heaven” ArtObserved original photo
Mike Zwaggi and Drew Boogie at “Auguries of Innocence” ArtObserved original photo
North Gallery at “Auguries of Innocence” ArtObserved original photo
Daniel Lismore at “Auguries of Innocence” ArtObserved original photo
In front of “Candy Mosque” ArtObserved original photo
Gallery Two of “Auguries of Innocence” ArtObserved original photo
North Gallery at “Auguries of Innocence” ArtObserved original photo
Gallery Two at “Auguries of Innocence” ArtObserved original photo
