There is no middle ground with David LaChapelle: either you love him or you hate him. The American star photographer is renowned for his colourful and surreal images within the world of fashion and celebrity photography, having worked for every magazine of rank and prestige, including stars such as Madonna, Eminem, Britney Spears, etc. However, LaChapelle has a darker side to his work which is often overlooked, addressing issues like consumerism, global warming or celebrity culture under the shiny surface of his work.

With mono.kultur, David LaChapelle talked about photography as a means of escape, the constraints of working within a commercial framework and the end of the world.

This issue contains a selection by David LaChapelle of his personal favourites among his vast body of work, printed on deliciously plastic-coated stock.

Interview by Magdalena Magiera & Kai von Rabenau / Photography by David LaChapelle / Design by Kai von Rabenau