NYC: David LaChapelle Day
- Johnny Byrne
- Oct 17, 2022
- 1 min read
The Office of The Mayor, City of New York has declared Thursday September 08, 2022 "David LaChapelle Day."
The proclamation was was made by Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director - NYC Office of Nightlife at the Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment, on behalf of mayor Eric Adams during the vernissage of LaChapelle exhibition 'make Believe' at Fotografiska New York.
The proclamation commemorates Davids career and contributions to the culture of New York:
photo: Kumi Tanimura
"David LaChapelle moved to New York as a teenager in the early 1980's and was hired by Andy Warhol for his first photographic assignment with Interview Magazine. LaChapelle was an active member of ACT UP — (committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis). During this time he made a vast body of work (Angels, Saints and Martyrs (1984), Your Needs Met (1988), MTA Arts For Transit: Grand Windows (1988), Somewhere Better (1989) and Life Never Dies (1989) in response to the devastating loss he experienced throughout the AIDS epidemic. In the decades since, David LaChapelle has expanded the genre of photography and immortalized New York's most significant figures through photographs that are internationally-recognizable."
photo: twitter: @arielpalitz
Incredible recognition for David LaChapelle — his work has always pushed boundaries and shaped how we see visual storytelling. Honoring him with an official day feels more than deserved. It made me reflect on how powerful creative identity can be when it’s consistent and bold. That’s exactly the kind of approach that works in restaurant digital marketing too — building a brand that’s instantly recognizable, emotionally resonant, and visually unforgettable. Restaurants, like artists, need to stand out in saturated spaces, and the right content strategy can make that happen. Visual culture isn't just aesthetics — it’s what drives attention and trust.
That recognition is so well deserved—David LaChapelle’s influence on visual culture is unreal. His work constantly pushes boundaries and redefines how we see art and media. I once collaborated on a digital installation project inspired by his style, and managing the tech side was a whole task on its own. I ended up using Definitive Technology Solutions to handle the backend, and I’m honestly glad I did. Everything ran smoothly, and their support let me stay focused on the creative process.
The recognition of his activism with ACT UP and his powerful works like Angels, Saints and Martyrs and Your Needs Met really highlights his deep connection PolyTrack to New York’s cultural and social history, especially during the AIDS crisis.