The Groninger Museum has acquired Seismic Shift, an important work by David LaChapelle, with support from the Vereniging Rembrandt and its Titus Fonds and Mr Rickert J-F. Blokhuis Fund. A splendid example of LaChapelle’s complex staged photography, the work links to the museum’s collection in numerous ways.
Seismic Shift takes a compelling look at the current state of the art world and art market, referencing themes such as transience, decay and consumerism. The photograph depicts a partially destroyed contemporary art museum housing badly damaged iconic works by artists including Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst and Takashi Murakami. These artists represent the eye-watering prices seen in today’s art market, which correspond to global demand among superrich buyers for whom art is a brand. Seismic Shift raises critical questions about the limited lifespan of a work of art. It is regarded as one of the highlights of LaChapelle’s oeuvre.
The Groninger Museum is proud of the purchase. Staged photography is a focus of its collection. Seismic Shift comprises part of the survey exhibition LaChapelle: Good News for Modern Man.
Note to the editor
For more information and images, please contact the Groninger Museum’s Communication, PR and Marketing department:
Willemien Bouwers wbouwers@groningermuseum.nl + 31 (0)50 366 6510
Karina Smrkovsky ksmrkovsky@groningermuseum.nl + 31 (0)50 366 6512
Image credit: Purchased thanks to the support of the Vereniging Rembrandt and its Titus Fonds and Mr Rickert J-F. Blokhuis Fund.