Awakened by David LaChapelle

Looking at the extensive works of renown gay photographer and filmmaker, David LaChapelle, I found this series, called AWAKENED and presented at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery in NYC. David’s works are often full of references to religion, spirituality and sexuality (see "Jesus is My Homeboy" or his famous Madonna works), but in this case the images are very different.  These images are missing the usual richness and opulence characteristic of LaChapelle's photography. 

AWAKENED is about the internal light in every human being, no matter their age or shape or gender or sexual orientation or profession or belief system.  We are all swimming in an ocean of Love, and we are not other-than that Love, that Light.  So many religions teach us that this world is in some way an illusion, although an illusion we have to go along with for efficiency's sake.  Sometimes, though, it's good to add a semi-colon - to close our eyes, press our hands together in the universal prayer mudra, and acknowledge what we really are: AWAKENED.

Comments

[PinkFeather2]

I find the sentiments to be characterstic of the Awakening movement and starkly bold in their relation to the gay perspective. I would put less emphasis on the "gay", though I understand the need to bring it to the forefront for the gay and straight people to promte tolerance as well as understanding, and strive to make an inclusive perspective statement.

While fascinating, the photography itself portrays a "stark boldness" and puzzling in its resemblance to Barbie doll poses. Perhaps this itself brings to mind the fragile division that can exist between genuine and non-genuine spiritual/religious life and asks us to not just look or talk but from a "heart" perspective LIVE.

In short: I like the idea.

[sfauthor]

Nice posting. Do you know about these mudra books?

http://www.YogaVidya.com/freepdfs.html

[Kittredge Cherry]

Thanks for introducing me to this intriguing artist and his contemporary vision of Jesus. I agree with the previous comment that his work does not seem to directly address gay spirituality, but it does speak to the human condition.

[Laticia]

this is definitely a blog I never thought I would see. It's great! I'm going to bookmark! Most people don't think that homosexuality and spirituality can coexist. At the end of the day we are all human and we have souls.