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22/2/2012

David LaChapelle

Fred Torres Collaborations, New York

Earth Laughs In Flowers was originally presented at the Kestnergesellschaft Museum in Hannover, Germany, February 25 through May 8, 2011. This series will be presented in the United States for the first time in its entirety at Fred Torres Collaborations in New York.

In Earth Laughs In Flowers David LaChapelle appropriates the traditional Baroque still life painting in order to explore contemporary vanity, vice, the transience of earthly possessions and, ultimately, the fragility of humanity. Expectations of the still life are satisfied through the inclusion of symbolic objects such as fruit, flowers and skulls, but also upended by the insertion of everyday items such as cell phones, cigarette butts, balloons, Barbies, and a Starbuck's iced coffee cup. This last effect is exacerbated by a tortuous disorderliness overwhelming the composition. The resulting photographs achieve a painterly, almost sculptural quality, thereby challenging the traditions of painting.

The title Earth Laughs in Flowers comes from the poem "Hamatreya" (1846) by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882), in which flowers articulate nature's ridicule and contempt for human arrogance in the pretense to dominion over earth.

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.

The titles of the works refer to the cycles of the seasons and of life: Springtime, Late Summer, Early Fall, Deathless Winter, and Concerning the Soul. In typical memento mori fashion, the works invite us in, beg our self-reflection, and remind us to enjoy life before it's over.

In collaboration with Robilant + Voena and St. Moritz Art Masters, Earth Laughs In Flowers is also on view at St. Moritz Art Masters, Reformierte Dorfkirche, Via Maistra 18, St. Moritz 7500, February 11–26; Robilant + Voena Gallery, 38 Dover Street, London W1S4NL, February 14–March 24, 2012; Robilant + Voena Gallery, Via Fontana 16, Milano 20122, February 16–March 24.

About David LaChapelle
Born in 1963, David LaChapelle studied visual arts at the North Carolina School of the Arts, the Art Students League and the School of Visual Arts in New York. His photography career began in the 1980's showing his artwork in New York City galleries. LaChapelle's works caught the eye of Andy Warhol and the editors of Interview, who invited him to contribute to the magazine. Current solo museum exhibitions include Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague, Seoul Arts Center Hangaram Design Museum, and the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Puerto Rico.

About Fred Torres Collaborations
Founded in 2005, Fred Torres Collaborations (FTC) works with artists, galleries, curators, and museums in producing and promoting exhibitions in New York and around the world. In 2008, FTC opened an exhibition space in Chelsea, which serves as an incubator for emerging artists, an experimental space for established artists, and a venue to host other arts related programming. FTC complements its exhibition program with guest-curated shows such as Assembly, organized by LACMA curator Edward Robinson. To date, over 43 artists have been exhibited at the gallery space. Artists in the program have gone on to exhibit at galleries and museums around the world, collected by important private and public institutions, and featured in numerous national and international publications such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, Time Out New York, Village Voice and W.

For more information, please contact Yana Balson by email at director@fredtorres.com or by phone at 212.244.5074

Image: David LaChapelle, America, 2011, Chromogenic Print

Opening February 23, 6-8pm

Fred Torres Collaborations
527 West 29th Street - New York
Hours: Tue-sat 10am-6pm

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