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David LaChapelle Still Life at Paul Kasmin Gallery

David_LaChapelle_Still_Life_at_Paul_Kasmin_Gallery

Paul Kasmin Gallery presents Still Life, an exhibition of new works by David LaChapelle, addressing the fleeting nature of humanity, fame, celebrity and power. On view at both Paul Kasmin Gallery locations in New York, this body of work began in 2009, when LaChapelle learned of the break-in and vandalism of the National Wax Museum in Dublin, Ireland, and was granted permission to photograph the destroyed figures. LaChapelle continued photographing figures at two additional wax museums – one in California and one in Nevada – to complete his vision of the collection. With subjects ranging from politicians such as Ronald Reagan, to celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael Jackson, to the artist’s depiction of The Last Supper including Judas and Mary Magdalene, Still Life presents eerie compositions of dismembered icons. Still Life expands on the idea of his earlier exhibition, Earth Laughs in Flowers, an exhibition of still life works exploring contemporary vanity, vice, the transience of earthly possessions, and the fragility of humanity. Still Life will be on view until January 13, 2013, at Paul Kasmin Gallery, 293 Tenth Ave & 515 West 27th Street, New York