Tag Archives: ziggy stardust

The Pervasive Influence of David Bowie in Art and Pop Culture

bowies eyes by elena lobanowa photo by gail worley
Bowie’s Eyes By Elena Lobanowa (All Photos By Gail)

For more years than I can recall, I’ve been photo-documenting the proliferation of David Bowie’s likeness on assorted things ranging from art and street art, to holiday ornaments, toys, books, mugs, magnets, what have you. With a few exceptions, most of these photos never make it into a blog post: I just like to collect them. Because, David Bowie. After recently spotting two pieces of Bowie-inspired street art on the same block in Greenpoint, I finally decided to load them all into one big Bowie extravaganza. Please enjoy!

Continue reading The Pervasive Influence of David Bowie in Art and Pop Culture

Homage to David Bowie Mural on Lafayette Street

david bowie mural photo by gail worley
Photos By Gail

When David Bowie was alive, he spent his time in NYC living in the SoHo neighborhood; specifically, in a luxury apartment building located at 285 Lafayette Street. Since Bowie’s passing in 2016, various pieces of street art have popped up on the block as a continuing homage to the late icon. The mural above is the latest. At first glance, it looks like just a random collage of images with the featured one being some sort of monster or alien being. But if you stop to take a closer look, you can’t miss the visage of David as Ziggy Stardust over on the right. Continue reading Homage to David Bowie Mural on Lafayette Street

Ziggy Stardust Beer!

weird and gilly ipa photo by gail worley
All Photos By Gail

Ziggy played guitar
Jamming good with Weird and Gilly,
And the Spiders from Mars . . .

Hey Bitches, check out this beer I found at the new Trader Joe’s that just opened two blocks from the Chickpad! Weird & Gilly (named for two members of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust-era band, The Spiders from Mars) is a single cut, double dry-hopped IPA whose flavor is described as “soft, doughy and slightly tangy malt, [with] bright citrus, pine resin hops, and tropical fruit.” Continue reading Ziggy Stardust Beer!

David Bowie Ziggy Stardust / Aladdin Sane Mini Lego Figures!

Ziggy Figure 1 Packaging
Photos By Gail

This year’s Five Points Festival is a few weeks behind us now, and trust me when I say that the full-on photo recap of this truly mind-blowing event is on the way. But in the meantime, I’d like to satiate your craving for art toy news with a little teaser, featuring my favorite purchase from the show: these adorable Mini Lego Figures of David Bowie as two of his most famous personas, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane!

Ziggy Lego Mini

These figures were designed by artist Ron Reeves of Spandex Studios (SPandEX), and the attention to detail makes them instantly recognizable. For example, the toy above is rocking the Asymmetrical Knit Bodysuit designed by Kansai Yamamoto in 1973 for the Ziggy Stardust tour. Mini Lego Ziggy also comes with a Mic, so he can drop it.

Aladdin Sane Figure 2 Packaging

And despite the fact that it says “Ziggy Stardust” on the packaging, this figure is clearly Bowie from the Aladdin Sane-era — distinguish by the iconic lighting bolt across its face. The card art includes an image of Bowie from the D.A. Pennebaker live concert film, Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars (1973). Perhaps a bit more attention to detail could have been employed here, but whatever. It is still pretty cool.

Aladdin Sane Lego Mini

Visit Spandex Studios on the Web at This Link!

Yes, It Exists: David Bowie Paper Dolls!

Paper Boy David Bowie
All Photos By Gail

The only real bummer about David Bowie Is, the Brooklyn Museum’s immersive and wildly fascinating career retrospective on the late, great rock superstar is the fact that photography is not allowed inside the galleries. Huge Bummer! Once you enter the exhibit, the rule makes sense, because crowding: but still. Fortunately, photography is fully permitted in the museum gift shop, and thank god, because that is where I found these (unofficial) David Bowie Paper Dolls! Squee!

Bowie Underpants Model
Ziggy-era Bowie in his Skivvies: Ready for some Hot Dress-Up Action!

If you’ve ever wanted to know what the Thin White Duke looked like in his underwear alone, wonder no longer!

Bowie Black Jump Suit
Tokyo Pop Vinyl Bodysuit (1973) Designed By Kansai Yamamoto for the Aladdin Sane tour

From Ziggy Stardust to Halloween Jack, Major Tom, and many other characters, David Bowie continuously reinvented himself. The stage outfits recreated in Mel’s Music Icons’ Ziggy Paperboy book highlight a selections of Bowie ’s numerous identities and are as much a tribute to Bowie as is his music! Here are just a few of the fun outfits you can dress him up in!

Bowie Blue Boa

Two Outfits

Blonde David

The book also includes a few differently-styled versions of David, to accommodate all of his ch-ch-ch-changes!

Bowie Blue Suit

Here is the famous Ice Blue Suit that David wore for the Mick Rock-directed video for “Life On Mars.” Iconic!

Bowie One Leg and Sleeve Costume

OMG so much Fun!

David Bowie Is Runs Through July 15th, 2018 at the Brooklyn Museum.