Hired by Andy Warhol and fired by Madonna, David LaChapelle, was once the go-to photographer for the world’s biggest stars, such as Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Uma Thurman and Hillary Clinton. He first made a name for himself as a photographer for Warhol’s legendary Interview Magazine—creating glossy, ostentatious portraits of pop culture icons—and his unique visionary empire grew over the following two decades. Using revolutionary computer manipulation and futuristic fashion shoots, he became known for placing Hollywood celebrities in larger-than-life and often erotically charged settings. In 2006, he ditched the high fashion and celebrity world for fine art, creating a string of music videos and a feature film. Introducing LaChapelle to The Avant/Garde Diaries is Reiner Opoku, an international curator and contemporary art dealer who began working with artists in the early ’80s. He has seen first-hand how artists like LaChapelle make the world a more vibrant and innovative place.