Aladdin Sane at 50: The Making of an Icon

22 Apr 2023 1-2.30pm

Overview

Delve deeper into our exhibition celebrating Bowie’s album and its unforgettable cover image, in a discussion chaired by curator Victoria Broackes.

Venue: Purcell Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall

Our current exhibition Aladdin Sane: 50 Years marks the 50th anniversary of Bowie’s sixth studio album, and its iconic lightning bolt cover, shot by Brian Duffy.

Bowie not only wanted people to be what they wanted to be but also to look like they wanted, whatever the norms of society.

Bowie was a master of self-promotion and his previous five albums had all used his own image on the cover. His changing identities reflect his growing confidence and use of theatrical presentation.

With Ziggy Stardust, he created a persona that could be used on and off stage. Duffy was given the challenge of creating a new image that would outdo even the alien Bowie standing in Heddon Street.

The resulting Aladdin Sane has been described as one of the most influential images of the late twentieth century, ‘the Mona Lisa of pop’ and has been copied and parodied ever since.

This discussion is chaired by Victoria Broackes, who curated the V&A’s David Bowie Is exhibition with Geoffrey Marsh.

Broackes is joined by Chris Duffy, the son of Brian Duffy and an established photographer in his own right. Since Duffy’s death, Chris has established the Duffy Archive to preserve his father’s work and legacy. He has recently edited Aladdin Sane 50, published by Welbeck Publishing, a new book exploring the album and the story behind the creation of its famous cover. He has also filmed many musicians and personalities who worked with Bowie over the years.

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