Contemporary art exhibition boom in the historical buildings in France?

Museum, 2007 © David LaChapelle

Lately, France is absorbed in having contemporary art exhibitions at historical buildings such as Jeff Koons at Château de Versailles, Palais de Tokyo’s contemporary art show at Fontainebleau, and so on.Among the boom, even Monnaie de Paris had announced a plan to have a large scale contemporary art exhibition. There were several small scale exhibitions at the Monnaie de Paris before, but this time, it is a retrospective of American artist, David Lachapelle, who is a hip photographer in the fashion and advertisement industries.

Photo: Kana Sunayama

Although it is the Mint, They do not mint Euro bills any more at this building. It is a museum now. On the second floor around 200 of David Lachapelle’s work are presented. I am not sure it aims or not, but David’s favorite subjects are Hollywood stars and international celeblities who would personify the subject of a desire; money.

David’s work is exhibited based on the theme at this retrospective. It includes some papier-mache 3D photos consisting of pictures on cardboard of images lininging up next to each other, and the makings of videos of the extras who go after David’s shooting locations and worship David like a God. You can also find his latest work, “Flood” a series which the artist boasts was ispired by Michelangelo’s mural at the Sistine Chapel.

Cathedral, 2007 © David LaChapelle

Of course, there are many pictures of celeblities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Madona, David Bowie, Naomi Campbell, Pamela Anderson, Uma Thurman, Elton John, Angelina Jolie, and Paris Hilton etc…Also, his muse, Amanda Lepore’s portraits are exhibited.