Interview: MK
Photography: Massimiliano Filingeri, Comune di Trieste
David LaChapelle’s solo show at Salone degli Incanti in Trieste sharpens the voyeuristic appetite even in the impeccable spirit. And it is quite hard taking the eyes off from some of his pictures. Especially because to understand the meaning and rebuild the story they tell, it is necessary to look through all the details.
The title of this exhibition is “Fulmini” (lightning). Why did you give it this name?
As lightning lights up the sky, I want to make images that illuminate and light up. I love this idea of connectivity, and art where you are connected and inspired through music and through writing, through all of the arts. Art can touch us and move us and excite us, and connect us.
What should one expect from the exhibition?
Expect the unexpected. I hope the visitors come with an open mind and an open heart. Let the work touch you, maybe some pieces will and some pieces won’t. My hope is that my work can touch people the way music does. These images are my way of giving something to the audience.
Why did you choose Trieste?
My first museum exhibition was in Rome 30 years ago and my first job where I was flown somewhere was also in Italy, so this country is really special to me. For me Italy is the cultural center of the world. I was so pleased to discover Trieste. It has a lot of energy, a lot of history and it’s Italian, and I love all things Italian. Trieste is truly the most beautiful city. I love it here. I love Italians, it’s a love fest. I would love to move here. It’s a beautiful city, there are a lot of amazing contrasts. There’s a lot of beauty but at the same time it’s very tranquil, it’s not overrun with commercialism and tourism, it’s really a beautiful place. It’s like undiscovered treasure, I hope it stays this way. There are so many cities in the world that are beautiful yet highly commercial, and Trieste is not, I really like this hidden treasure. Amazing place.
What inspires you?
Things I find beautiful others may not, but I always try to find beauty even while talking about difficult topics. We live in a fallen world with a lot of darkness and confusion. As an artist I want to make images that have clarity and not confusion, have light and not darkness. I want to use beauty as a tool, even when talking about difficult subjects. I want to share the best of the world, nature, God’s garden, the poetry. For me living in nature is God’s cathedral, it’s infinitely inspiring. All of my photographs are coming from a very sincere place. I didn’t start photography to be rich and famous, I just wanted to give something, and have a purpose to be here, to share something from my heart.
What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing today as an artist?
The biggest challenge today as an artist is distractions of the world. So much social media, the addiction of the scrolling of all the devices. We have to get away from all that so we can have peace and create, and not just be consumers. We have to make time to go to museums, to learn and discover.
Do you have a favorite picture here on display?
I don’t have a favorite picture here, but as a whole these are my favorite picture over three and a half decades of my life. They all tell different stories and they work together, as part of the keys of life. Different pictures for all the different emotions, all the different things that we’re dealing with living in a fallen world. I look for the transcendent. The thread that holds them together is the fact that there’s something beyond this material, this fallen world. The idea of heaven, the idea of transcendence, and the inspiration from God, and having faith. For me that’s the most important.
