Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Maison Schiaparelli Haute Couture Spring Summer 2023

Creative Director: Daniel Roseberry

Via FF Channel

What happens when reading Maitland Ward's Rated X

Leo Garel, PLAYBOY (August 1994) 

Ice Age

Film Appreciation

Released on March 15, 2002, Ice Age is an American computer-animated comedy film starring the voices of Ray Romano (Manfred), John Leguizamo (Sid), and Denis Leary (Diego).

The film, which features stunning landscapes, realistic animal movements, and detailed character designs, was directed by Chris Wedge and Carlos Saldanha, produced by Blue Sky Studios, and distributed by 20th Century Fox. 

The film is set during the ice age, with a group of prehistoric animals on a journey to return a human baby to its family. The film features a strong storyline, with themes of friendship, loyalty, and family at its core. 

Source:

Wikipedia

https://www.famousbirthdays.com/movies/ice-age.html

2Pac - Me Against the World

Music Appreciation

Tupac Shakur's third studio album Me Against the World, was released on March 14, 1995, while the rapper was facing numerous legal troubles and embroiled in a feud with other rappers. The album is both considered introspective and socially conscious and showcases his remarkable storytelling ability. It dealt with issues such as poverty, violence, and racism.

His powerful lyrics in So Many Tears is an autobiography of the senseless violence experienced as a kid and his internal struggles in the "Thug Life."

"Now that I'm strugglin' in this business, by any means, Label me greedy gettin' green, but seldom seen, And fuck the world cause I'm cursed, I'm havin' visions, Of leavin'' here in a hearse, God can you feel me?"

The lead single, Dear Mama, was a tribute song to his mother, Afeni Shakur. 

"For a woman it ain't easy trying to raise a man, You always was committed, A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it, There's no way I can pay you back, But the plan is to show you that I understand, You are appreciated."

At the age of 17, Afeni kicked out Tupac and they had little contact for many years; although, the eventually, they reconciled.

In the world of hip hop, Tupac is considered one of the most influential artists of all time. The album's innovative production and fearless lyricism helped redefine the hip hop genre. 

Source:

Wikipedia

Album Cover: Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956)

Album Cover

Album: Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956)
Released: March 13, 1956

Photographer: William V. "Red" Robertson of Robertson & Fresch

Model: Elvis Presley

Taken: July 31, 1955 at the Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida

Source: Wikipedia

Album Cover: The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico

Album Cover

Album: The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico

Released: March 12, 1967

Cover Art Design: Andy Warhol

Source:

Wikipedia

David LaChapelle

Photography Appreciation

Back in 2016, I posted a short blog on American photographer and filmmaker David LaChapelle, which you can read HERE. This entry will expand a little more into the artist.

Born on March 11, 1963, LaChapelle is best known for his distinctive style that combines elements of Pop Art, fashion photography, and surrealism that often references art history and sometimes conveys political and social messages.  

LaChapelle was raised in Hartford, Connecticut until he moved with his family to Raleigh, North Carolina at he age of nine. At a very young age, he had an interest in photography. His first photo is of his mother, Helga, while on a family vacation to Puerto Rico. He credits Helga for influencing his art direction. 

In his teens, he was bullied in school because of his sexuality. At the age of 15, while he and his family were back in Connecticut, he ran away from home. He became a busboy at Studio 54 in New York City.

He would return to North Carolina and enroll in the North Carolina School of the Arts, and graduate from the high school visual arts program in 1981. 

LaChapelle's photography career began shortly after high school when he moved to New York City and enrolled in both the Art Students League and The School of Visual Arts. He began showing his artwork in various galleries, which caught Andy Warhol's attention. Warhol offered him his first professional photography job for Interview Magazine. LaChapelle's images subsequently appeared on the covers of magazines such as GQ, The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue Paris.

LaChapelle has cited a number of artists who have influenced his photography, such as Salvador Dalí, Jeff Koons, Michelangelo, Cindy Sherman, Helmut Newton, and Andy Warhol.

Throughout his career, he has produced work for ad campaigns such as Diesel, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. He has directed music videos for Rihanna, Britney Spears, and many others. 

 

Pamela Anderson (1998)

Archangel Michael (Jackson) (1990)

Britney Spears with Hot Dog (2000)

Eminem: About to Blow (1999)

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.davidlachapelle.com

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/nov/21/david-lachapelle-photographer-hawaii-warhol

https://www.forbes.com/sites/yjeanmundelsalle/2014/09/19/david-lachapelle-from-fashion-photography-to-fine-art/?sh=77599be32023

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-photographers-mothers/8/

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