David Bowie - Aladdin Sane Eyes Open - 1973

Description: Official Archival Pigment Ink Print Direct From The Duffy Archive Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive & The David Bowie Archive? Taken by British Photographer Duffy during the second of Five Sessions with David Bowie. Duffy's most famous photograph dates from 1973 and is the iconic and revolutionary cover of David Bowie's album - Aladdin Sane. A shot that became the defining look of Bowie's long career, and has been referred to as the 'Mona Lisa of pop.' The defining image of Duffy and Bowies creative relationship which has become synonymous with the legacy of both artists. Tony Defries commissioned Duffy Design Concepts to create the entire Aladdin Sane album. The brief was simple 'Can you make it expensive?' The intention was to take Bowie to an international level. Also to make a bill so large that the record label would have to pay attention. A Dye-transfer image was the answer. A process that was notoriously costly, with the production taking place in Switzerland. Duffy carved the iconic red and blue Flash across David's face in lipstick. The outline was then filled in by makeup artist Pierre Laroche. The image was then sent to airbrush artist Philip Castle. Duffy previously worked on the 1973 Pirelli Calendar with Castle who applied the water symbol on Bowies chest. Eyes OpenDuring the same session in 1973, Duffy shot Bowie in the exact same position with his eyes open, revealing his old school injury. David's permanently dilated left eye - one of his most recognisable features - gifted to him by lifelong friend George Underwood in 1962 during a fight over a girl. This "Eyes Open" image was discovered by The Duffy Archive over 30 years later and unveiled for use in the record-breaking V&A exhibition becoming as iconic as the classic album cover in the process. The show titled David Bowie IS has Toured around the world to Canada, Brazil, Germany, USA, France, Australia, The Netherlands, Japan, Italy, Spain, and America. The Whole StoryThe fascinating story behind this timeless session is fully documented in the Duffy Bowie Five Sessions Book (see our other items for signed copies) told by those who were there. Including Duffy who said of the session - 'It happened because there was a little bit of magic in the room that night. I'll say it myself, it's a great cover!' "Talent hits a target no-one else can hit. Genius hits a target no-one else can see." - Arthur Schopenhauer Limited and Signed editions are available, to discuss options please Contact Us. Our Standard Archival Quality Pigment Ink Prints are 7.5'x7.5' (19.05cm x 19.05cm) in 12'x12' (30.48cm x 30.48cm) Mounts which are the same size as a vinyl record sleeve for convenient framing. Each print is hand-embossed with a Duffy Archive Stamp. The reverse of each print is labelled with information on the session stamped with ink by hand using a logo from one of Duffy's old camera cases. All of our prints are supplied with either a Black or White mount.

Price: 125 GBP

Location: LONGHOPE

End Time: 2023-11-01T13:10:23.000Z

Shipping Cost: 34.14 GBP