david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers ‘springtime’ by david lachapelle, 2011 courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers fred torres collaborations, new york city, usa february 23rd until march 24th, 2012

american photographer david lachapelle has created ‘earth laughs in flowers’, a series consisting of the ten large-scale still life photographs. fred torres collaborations will exhibit the entire series for the first time in the united states. lachapelle’s installation explores the fragility of society and ideas of vice and vanity through composing his images in a manner typical to that of baroque still life painting. deviating from the inclusion of solely fruit, flowers and sculls, the artist evokes a contemporary sensibility through his use of items such as pre-packaged foods, mobile phones, medicine, balloons, and barbie dolls. rather than being constructed in an especially balanced composition, lachapelle’s massive painterly-like photographs are intentionally chaotic, engaging the viewer as he/she attempt to reconcile the overwhelming canvas.

‘america’courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

the artist conceived the title for the exhibition from the poem ‘hamatreya’ by ralph waldo emerson, in which the author explores the notion of flowers being the expression of nature’s hatred of human ignorance and desire to control the earth. subsequently, each work is named according to the cycles of both seasons and life.

‘where are these men? asleep beneath their grounds: and strangers, fond as they, their furrows plough. earth laughs in flowers, to see her boastful boys earth-proud, proud of the earth which is not theirs; who steer the plough, but cannot steer their feet, clear of the grave.‘-ralph waldo emerson

‘the lovers’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

‘risk’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

‘later summer’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

‘deathless winter’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

‘wilting gossip’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

‘concerning the soul’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

‘flaccid passion’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

‘early fall’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york