A personal look of one of the most
avant-garde albums of the 20th century.
When I thought of a record that was my favorite musically speaking, I realized that there were many.
But doing a more detailed search and thinking about art, design and the whole concept of the album, I quickly found one: Aladdin Sane. That era of Bowie, his musical flight, drunken pianos, and songs such as Lady Grinning Soul, Aladdin Sane and Jean Genie make this album a unique piece.
Just started my search for information on this album I found something that caught my attention.
Bowie plays with the words in Aladdin Sane - a lad insane - (un muchacho loco) and was strongly influenced by the recent diagnosis of schizophrenia his half-brother Terry Burns had.
Then as I was doing this illustration, I began to learn more about the development of the album and I realized that Bowie had connected with a large part of artists and professionals of his time, to achieve his peculiar image and sound. No one can deny the icon value of the image of this album in our culture.
But Bowie didn't accomplish this on his own. I already mentioned the influence of his brother's illness (the lightning that divides Bowie's face). But there were also other artists that influenced the white duke at this time. I will briefly mention some of them.
Brian Duffy was the photographer who managed to synthesize these powerful photographs that we already know a lot and which I have used to play a little.
Pierre La Roche was the makeup artist who accompanied Bowie on different occasions.
Kansai Yamamoto was David's favorite fashion designer. He design some of the most iconic pop idol costumes.
Mike Garson was responsible for those drunken pianos that gave Aladdin Sane a unique sound. Mike came from the world of jazz and Bowie gave him a free way to leave his mark on the sound of those songs.
Pierre La Roche was the makeup artist who accompanied Bowie on different occasions.
Kansai Yamamoto was David's favorite fashion designer. He design some of the most iconic pop idol costumes.
Mike Garson was responsible for those drunken pianos that gave Aladdin Sane a unique sound. Mike came from the world of jazz and Bowie gave him a free way to leave his mark on the sound of those songs.
Susy Fussey was the hairdresser in charge of giving Bowie's hair a unique and rebellious style, and Daniella Parmar was the person who suggested the characteristic red color of Bowie at that time.
Philip Castle, a great artist of the 60s, was the artist who painted Bowie in the photo where he poses naked.
Philip Castle, a great artist of the 60s, was the artist who painted Bowie in the photo where he poses naked.
Finally I want to mention that the iconic ray that we all love so much, was taken from Elvis Presley's ring and finally designed taking as a reference an announcement of the National Panasonic that was in the studio where they recorded the album.
That's why I think I like this album so much; It is a mix of pop music, fashion, graphic design, photography and mental health. A unique and very effective mixture don't you think?
I hope you like these illustrations and redesigns. Thank you for taking the time to observe and read what I did.
I hope you like these illustrations and redesigns. Thank you for taking the time to observe and read what I did.
We'll love Aladdin Sane.
Thanks for watching, feel free to share, comment and visit my profile on instagram;
https://www.instagram.com/the.__.dominguez/
I uploaded some parts of the process of this work there and to my personal blog on tumblr.
I uploaded some parts of the process of this work there and to my personal blog on tumblr.
Greetings to all!
The Dominguez
