I believe Michael [Jackson] in a sense is an American martyr. Martyrs are persecuted and Michael was persecuted. Michael was innocent and martyrs are innocent. If you go on YouTube and watch interviews with Michael, you don't see a crack in the facade. There's this purity and this innocence that continued [throughout his life].
David LaChapelleThe key is to photograph your obsessions, whether thatโs old peopleโs hands or skyscrapers. Think of a blank canvas, because thatโs what youโve got, and then think about what you want to see. Not anyone else.
David LaChapelleThen I got this idea in my head that magazines were like a gallery and if you got your magazine page ripped out and someone stuck it on their refrigerator, then that was a museum โ someoneโs private museum.
David LaChapelleIt's much harder to work for yourself, by yourself, than to create work for a gallery, because there are no limits and you can do anything you want. It's always easier when you have a parameter, when you have a limit. You can work within the limit and push it and walk the line, but when you're given absolutely no limits, it's harder. You must really think. It's more challenging.
David LaChapelle