LaChapelle Land

by David Lachapelle (Photographer)

The acclaimed Book of 101 Books: Seminal Photographic Books of the Twentieth Century recognizes David LaChapelle’s 1996 LaChapelle Land as its 101st book. And rightly so. The marriage of LaChapelle’s vivid, high-octane images with graphic artist, Tadanori Yokoo’s supersaturated designs make for an astonishing physical object. The reissue of this now classic, long out-of-print volume showcases all the lollipop giddiness of the original now lavishly reproduced in a larger format. “There’s a tradition of celebrity portraiture that attempts to uncover the ‘real person’ behind the trappings of their celebrity. I am more interested in those trappings,” says LaChapelle. Indeed, he exaggerates the artificiality of fame and Hollywood culture in a head on collision of color, plastic, and whimsy. His photographs confront our visual taste and challenge our ideas of celebrity, all the while taking us on a roller coaster ride through his hyper-sensationalized galaxy. Lil’ Kim becomes the ultimate status symbol, tattooed in the Louis Vuitton pattern. Madonna rises from pink waters as a mystical dragon princess. Pamela Anderson hatches out of an egg; and Alexander McQueen burns down the castle dressed as the Queen of Hearts. David LaChapelle’s uncompromising originality is legendary in the worlds of fashion, film, and advertising. His images, both bizarre and gorgeous, have appeared on and in between the covers of Vogue, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Vibe and more. La Chapelle Land is fun park America gone surrealistically wrong — but in such an attractive way.

Genres: Photography, Art, Art and Photography, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

David LaChapelle is a photographer and director who works in the fields of fashion, advertising, and fine art photography, and is noted for his surreal, unique and often humorous style.

Reviews

[Diego Munoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a fascinating, large book. I think he has better collections, but there are still lots of great pics here. I like the Coolio photos, as well as Tupac, Leonardo, etc. Definitely a unique outlook, a vibrant one, and a nice book for the coffee table.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is one of David LaChappelle's collections of photo shoots. It includes bold poses and more colors than you can ever imagine. Perhaps, this book featured LaChappele's earliest efforts, as one can see Leonardo diCaprio posed in his teenage years (waaaay before Titanic), and even some of the casts of Beverly Hills 90210 the series posing for his lenses. You know, judging from their era of 15 minutes of fame, one can easily guess the time when this book was published originally.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This photography book is SO great! It has hilarious and sometimes creepy pictures of celebrities and just interesting looking people in shocking, funny and sometimes scary back drops. Extremely entertaining coffee table book:)

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun. Yes. Color.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy crazy and different. FYI, great documentary on this photographer on Ovation, if you get a chance to catch it.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

S/A review for Hotel La Chappelle. No objectivity due to sister's involvement. Every photo is a world unto it's own.

[allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lachapelle is my favorite photographer at all time; this is my favorite collection of his photographs. Great book, so vibrant and colorful.

[Julie Grace Immink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grapefruit cherry/Drews nipple