The Southbank Centre is celebrating the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s iconic 1973 album, Aladdin Sane.
The Southbank Centre is celebrating the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s iconic 1973 album, Aladdin Sane.
Aladdin Sane: 50 Years will feature a two-month long exhibition from April 6 until May 28, to explore the creation of the album’s artwork including the iconic lightning flash portrait by photographer Brian Duffy.
The exhibition, held in the Spirit Level, Royal Festival Hall, will follow the journey of this pioneering portrait, mapping how Bowie’s continuous reshaping of his image paved the way for audiences to rethink their own identities.
Southbank Centre artistic director Mark Ball, said: “We’re honoured to pay tribute to David Bowie, who made his Southbank Centre debut in 1969.
“The Aladdin Sane album cover portrait is considered to be one of the most influential pop culture images of the past half century.
“It’s a work that continues to inspire today’s contemporary artists and the gender fluidity of the images still resonate deeply in queer culture in the UK and across the world.”
Curated by Chris Duffy, the son of Brian Duffy, and Geoff Marsh, the exhibition will explore the unique relationship between the musician and photographer, and the January 1973 photoshoot from which the iconic Aladdin Sane image was born.
Chris Duffy, said: “My father’s image of Bowie is often called the Mona Lisa of Pop.
“It’s important to remember it was the result of a short studio shoot using film, which then had to be sent out for commercial processing.
“There were no instant digital images or Photoshop then. It’s extraordinary how it’s lasted and been endlessly reworked.
“Wherever I go in the world, it’s always somewhere on a T-shirt.”
The Southbank Centre Archive will present a free display exploring David Bowie’s history with the centre, stretching over 50 years.
Coinciding with the release of the album 50 years ago, music artists will pay tribute to Aladdin Sane in the Royal Festival Hall on April 21.
Hosted by the Nu Civilisation Orchestra, Mercury Prize nominee Anna Calvi, Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears along with acclaimed R&B singer Tawiah, Roxanne Tataei, will perform Bowie’s album in full.
Across the weekend, there will also be talks and poetry events as well as two nights of club music.
Picture: David Bowie and Brian Duffy Picture: Aladdin Sane, Duffy Archive & The David Bowie ArchiveTM, Brian Duffy. Picture: Duffy Archive
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