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.

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers - 2 ‘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

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers - 3 ‘the lovers’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

 

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers - 4 ‘risk’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

 

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers - 5 ‘later summer’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

 

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers - 6 ‘deathless winter’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

 

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers - 7 ‘wilting gossip’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

 

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers - 8 ‘concerning the soul’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

 

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers - 9 ‘flaccid passion’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york

 

david lachapelle: earth laughs in flowers - 10 ‘early fall’ courtesy of the artist and fred torres collaborations, new york