Southbank Centre announces 50th anniversary celebration of David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane album
The Southbank Centre in London has announced a celebration of the 50th anniversary of David Bowie’s ‘Aladdin Sane’ album, with talks, performances and a two month exhibition exploring the record’s iconic artwork.“We’re honoured to pay tribute to David Bowie, who made his Southbank Centre debut in 1969”, says the venue’s Artistic Director Mark Ball. “The ‘Aladdin Sane’ album cover portrait is considered to be one of the most influential pop culture images of the past half century, and the music remains fresh and contemporary, so we wanted to recognise this major anniversary and reflect on the album and its artwork’s enduring legacy”.“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”, he adds.The artwork exhibition will run from 6 Apr to 28 May, and has been curated by Chris Duffy, son of the photographer who took the distinctive lightning flash portrait, Brian Duffy.