Art Imitates Music

"In Galleries this weekend" is a regular section of the New York Times online, and featured on May 18th was an item on the artist Erik Hanson, who was exhibiting at the Derek Eller gallery on West 25th Street.

Erik Hanson's quest (is) to give visual form to his listening pleasure ? call it rock 'n' roll Conceptualism. His work offers tangible proof that music is atmosphere ? reverie ? as well as sound.

The item mentioned that one of Mr Hanson's listening pleasures is the work of David Bowie. Enquiries of the gallery told us more :-

Since 1997 Erik has been making work that aims to translate his experience of listening to music into visual documentation. David Bowie has been the subject of numerous works that have taken the form of painting, drawing, photography, needlepoint, and sculpture. Bowie related works were recently shown at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans. Work has also been exhibited in England, Belgium, and throughout the United States.

The Derek Eller gallery was also kind enough to send us some images which you can see here.

You can contact Erik Hanson, via Derek Eller, here.

:))

Blood And Glitter Question #6

?????? ??????? and David Bowie, 1973 © Mick Rock.

People stared at the makeup on his face...

Question number six in our Blood and Glitter competition.

Question Six:
Who is the man in the picture above?...no, not the one on the right, the other one!

We will post details of how to enter the competition when we post the final question on Friday.

Bowie Classic On Capital Gold Legends Cd

I found the secrets, I found gold...

Scheduled for release on Virgin records a week from now, (Monday 11th June) is the double CD, 42-track, 'Capital Gold Legends'. Capital Radio is a popular Bowie-friendly London based radio station here in the UK, and this CD reflects the sort of music the station plays. The full length version of 'Space Oddity' is the song representing David Bowie on this compilation. Go here to pre-order the CD for a very reasonable £11.99, and check out the full track-listing while you're there.

Blood And Glitter Question #5, Plus 1 - 4 Again

"Blammo, purleeeze make the questions easier"
Ziggy girls lose it in the UK, 1973 © Mick Rock.

You belong in rock 'n roll...

Question number five in our Blood and Glitter competition.

Question Five:
List ten David Bowie compositions that contain the word ROCK. Each song must have a songwriting credit to David Bowie alone. For example, the song 'Gunman' contains the word ROCK in the line: "Like a rock of death", but, it is credited to David Bowie and Adrian Belew, so it won't do. On the other hand, the song 'Changes' contains the word ROCK in the line: "Oh, look out you rock 'n rollers", and being credited to David Bowie alone, it could be one of your ten.

Remember you needn't worry about sending your answers in until you have all ten. We will post details of how to enter the competition when we post the final question on Friday, June 8th.

That takes us half way through the competition. To recap, I have re-posted questions one to four below:

Question One:
Of the 58 songs that are on the current BowieNet, BowieRadio Station 2 playlist, two are from albums which have cover photographs taken by Mick Rock. Name those two albums.

Mick Rock and Ziggy Stardust at the Rock Style
exhibition in London by Total Blam Blam.

Question Two:
We all know that the picture that Mick is sitting below in the photograph above was taken at Haddon Hall, but where specifically in the building was it taken?

Question Three:
In his foreword for Blood and Glitter, David Bowie described William Burroughs how?

Question Four:
Name two other books, apart from 'Blood and Glitter', that have had a Mick Rock author credit.

Winner Of The Week

This week's edition of Entertainment Weekly, dated June 1st and available now, has this fun caricature of David. He is chosen as "Winner of the Week" because "His golden oldies figure prominently in two high-profile current films, Moulin Rouge and A Knight's Tale".

(Thanks a lot to russ, bonster, helen2, jamantyla and susans - all of whom had a hand in bringing you this item. Aint it great when we all work together!)

:))

Free Bowie Promo In The Uk Tomorrow

"Son now here's another little something"

Ahead of this coming Monday's release of 'Substitute - The Songs Of The Who' is a free, three-track promo to readers of The Daily Telegraph. In today's edition is an advert for the above promo that features these three songs:

David Bowie - Pictures Of Lily
Ocean Colour Scene - Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere
Fastball - The Real Me

Be warned though, you have to go and actually claim your promo from a participating Virgin Megastore with a voucher from tomorrow's edition of the popular broadsheet. But I know you'll all still help the album into the UK charts because you'll want the other stuff on the album too, even if this freebie does mean you can get the Bowie track for the price of a newspaper.

This promo also gives you the chance to compare David's twenty-two-year-old version of 'Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere' that he recorded for PinUps, with the new Ocean Colour Scene version. This is where I avoid the temptation to be obvious...but, I'm a Bowie fan, and obviously his version whips the arse...oooops, nearly! };-)

Meanwhile, the advertising campaign in the UK moves up a gear, with the wholesale plastering of the capital's billboards with posters for the album, and the use of David's version of 'Pictures Of Lily' to advertise the album on the nation's commercial radio stations.

Bowiephiles

Substitute - The Songs of the Who : Guardian : 5/25/01 From their review of the album :- "Pick of the bunch is David Bowie's extraordinarily Ziggy-era-sounding take on masturbation anthem, Pictures of Lily."

Radiohead, Amnesiac : Q : July 2001. In his review, Danny Eccleston compares the relationship of Kid A and Amnesiac to that of "Heroes" and Low. "Amnesiac is a companion work to Kid A in the way that David Bowie's "Heroes" complements Low." "Heroes" also features in the "Like this? Try these...." section accompanying the review.

Dylan at 60 : USA Today Edna Gundersen discusses Dylan's influence. "British glam-rock pioneer David Bowie, who toasted the bard on 1972's Song for Bob Dylan, notes, "Dylan taught my generation that it was OK to write pop songs about your worst nightmares."

Cat People : Salon.com. Joey Sweeney (musician) remembers the lessons his dad taught him. Both of us were really into the soundtrack "The Cat People", companion to a forgotten erotic thriller with one great David Bowie song ("Putting out the fire with gasoline/ Putting out the fiy-ah with gass-o-leee-eee-een!").

(contributors bonster, spaceface)

:))

Blood And Glitter Competition - Question #4

The Showcase Editions print of David Bowie at Earl's Court 1973.

...the solid book we wrote cannot be found today

Here's the fourth Blood and Glitter competition question.

Question Four:
Name two other books, apart from 'Blood and Glitter', that have had a Mick Rock author credit.

Remember you needn't worry about sending your answers in until you have all ten. We will post details of how to enter the competition when we post the final question on Friday, June 8th.

Take Home A Nude 2001

Bowieart has just announced this year's Take Home A Nude auction! This famous event "is an auction with a difference : alluring, provocative and intriguing, all works in the auction take the nude as its subject matter and all proceeds go to a great cause, The New York Academy of Arts."

"There is a great line-up of artists including Eric Fischl, Sam Taylor-Wood, Jeff Koons, John Currin, Sol LeWitt and Todd Oldham as well as many others. David Bowie is contributing again this year and has donated three prints produced specially for the auction."

"Pictured here is one of the prints, there are three variations on the print and each set in is an edition of only five. In this specially created print David has taken images of nudes both male and female, both are idealised though one is a fetishised drawing the other a realistic photograph, the two images have been entangled making viewing the original nudes problematic. How we normally view such images is brought into question."

You may remember David's contribution to Take Home A Nude last year - that beautiful triptych of Iman when she was expecting Alex. Whoever made the highest bid then has my green-eyed envy. The image above and the description of this year's contributions also make my heart beat faster. Can't wait to hear more!

Get on over to Bowieart , and check out details of how to order online, and full details of how to participate in this year's auction.

:))

Blood And Glitter Competition - Question #3

The slipcase edition of Blood and Glitter.

Two reflections on the sparkling water...

Here's the third question for our Blood and Glitter competition.

Question Three:
In his foreword for Blood and Glitter, David Bowie described William Burroughs how?

Remember you needn't worry about sending your answers in until you have all ten. We will post details of how to enter the competition when we post the final question on Friday, June 8th. See Tuesday's news for details of the prize in this competition.

Bowie Memoirs Not Up For Sale

David Bowie writing his memoirs yesterday.

Spreading rumours and lies and stories they made up...

A report published at publishingnews.co.uk regarding the sale of David Bowie's memoirs, and subsequently posted on the MBs (and indeed elsewhere), has been described by those that know in a way that would suggest the story has no basis in truth. In fact, both Isolar and David have never heard of Jim Fitzgerald.

It may be worth remembering that you are unlikely to read breaking Bowie news anywhere but here, and even if you do, it ain't gospel until we confirm it.

Blood And Glitter Competition - Question #2

Mick Rock and Ziggy Stardust at the Rock Style
exhibition in London by Total Blam Blam.

...a funny old crib on which the paint won't dry...

Straight on with day two of our Blood and Glitter competition.

Question Two:
We all know that the picture that Mick is sitting below in the photograph above was taken at Haddon Hall, but where specifically in the building was it taken?

The answer is closer than you think, and there is a clue in today's date...I'm saying no more than that. Remember you needn't worry about sending your answers in until you have all ten. We will post details of how to enter the competition when we post the final question on Friday, June 8th.

Just to remind you of that prize again: Five sets of the limited edition Ziggy print signed by Mick Rock in a portfolio, together with a slipcase edition of Blood and Glitter, also signed by Mick Rock, along with a certificate of authenticity. This edition is limited to 250 copies and would normally retail at £215. Please note that this is not the version co-signed by David.

'little Zowie' Thirty Today!

'Little Zowie' courtesy of the Metropolitan Police 'Ones To Watch' file.

I'm glad that you're older than me...

I hope you'll all join me in raising a glass for Duncan Jones of London, who today hits the big three O. Some of us Bowie fans who have witnessed the budding director's changes over the past thirty years will not be amazed by the butterfly-like metamorphosis from the loveable little caterpillar below to the preening beauty above. When asked this morning what wishes he had for his birthday, he hinted: "Out of my way punk, or I'll let you have both barrels..."

Anyway, Have a great 30th birthday Duncan...many happy returns and best wishes from everybody at BowieNet.

1975 - Duncan Zowie Haywood Bowie, Age 4 - All pictures courtesy of the Bowie Family Album.

Blood And Glitter Competition - Question #1

All you've got to do is win...

I know there are many of you whose budget won't stretch to the items above...well it may be small consolation but we have five sets to give away courtesy of Showcase Editions. Below is the first of ten clues that could put you on course to win one of these valuable sets. The clues will be posted one a day (excepting Sunday) until next Friday, June 8th.

Here's question number one...and it's an easy one to start us off:

Question One:
Of the 58 songs that are on the current Bowienet Radio2 playlist, two are from albums which have cover photographs taken by Mick Rock. Name those two albums.

Just to remind you of that magnificent prize one more time: Five sets of the limited edition Ziggy print signed by Mick Rock in a portfolio, together with a slipcase edition of Blood and Glitter, also signed by Mick Rock, along with a certificate of authenticity. This edition is limited to 250 copies and would normally retail at £215. Please note that this is not the version co-signed by David.

Don't worry about sending your answers in until you have all ten. We will post details of how to actually enter the competition when we post the final question on Friday, June 8th.

Ltd Book And Print Competition Starts Tonight

It's behind you...Mick Rock by Total Blam Blam, London 2001

What to do? What to do? What to do?

Those generous sorts at Showcase Editions have donated five sets of the limited edition Ziggy print signed by Mick Rock in a portfolio, together with a slipcase edition of Blood and Glitter, also signed by Mick Rock, along with a certificate of authenticity (see yesterday's news). This edition is limited to 250 copies and would normally retail at £215. Please note that this is not the version co-signed by David.

Come back here this evening at 11:00pm (GMT) for the first of ten clues that could put you on course to being one of five lucky BowieNetters to win one of these valuable sets. The clues will be posted one a day (excepting Sunday) until next Friday, June 8th.

At the same time this evening, you will have a chance to put your name forward for the reserve list of the Ziggy print and book set signed by Mick and David, also outlined in yesterday's news. See you later.

Sorry for slight delay in posting this...trouble with my conduits and a squirrel!

Kick Out The Jammies Design Contest!

As we near the launch of the "Kick Out the Jammies" station of BowieRadio, once again we need to enlist your help. As you undoubtedly remember, this fun station inspired by little Alex will feature music for kids as selected by David Bowie and BowieNetters around the globe.

We turned to Bowienetters for the station name, and now you have a shot at designing the actual radio interface itself! Designers who are interested in participating should e-mail their designs to Saint Alphonzo by Wednesday, June 6th. The winner will be picked by a panel including David Bowie, and will be announced shortly thereafter. The winner will of course be credited on the radio page and will also win a special prize (to be announced). Oh, and we have not forgotten about the prizes for coming up with the station name, either. It turned out to be somewhat of a hybrid in the end, but winners in that category will also be announced at the time of launch.

Please use the following guidelines for submissions:

1) Designs should be 300 x 148 pixels (give or take a few pixels)
2) Designs should be under 400k
3) Please submit designs in JPG format OR
4) Use of Flash is okay - send SWF
5) No more than three submissions per person, please
6) A mind is like a parachute; it only works when it is open!

=8-)

How To Reserve Your Signed Bowie Print Set

David Bowie, Earl's Court 1973 - Make up by Pierre Lapoof

What to do? What to do? What to do? (Part two)

You all know what this is about, but for those who missed yesterday's news here are the details once more:

A limited edition of 100 copies of the Ziggy print signed by David Bowie and Mick Rock in a portfolio, together with a slipcase edition of Blood and Glitter, signed by Mick Rock, complete with a certificate of authenticity. Available to BowieNet members only until the end of June for £375*.

Here's what Mick had to say about this particular shot...incidentally, that's Mr Rock's own affectionate nickname for David's make-up artist in the caption above:

"This is the gov'nor. There's a detail from this shot on the cover of my book. This would have been taken in the summer, I suspect at Earls Court. It was the last Ziggy concert run. Pierre Laroche (the artist who applied Aladdin Sane's lightning bolt) definitely did the make-up that day. David would sometimes do his own, but for special concerts he'd get Pierre Laroche in - you can see the gold, lots of rouge. Very poof-rock, if I may say so."

OK, to reserve your very own set, e-mail me now at MrTotalBlamBlam@AOL.Com with a subject line of "BowieNet Blood and Glitter offer" from your BowieNet address and be sure to include your real-world name and address. It is important that you mail from your BowieNet address as this offer is only open to BowieNet members.

Only the first ninety e-mails I receive will be guaranteed a set. Please only reserve a set if you fully intend to actually purchase it. The names of the ninety successful applicants will not be listed on BowieNet, but will be notified directly by Showcase Editions, who will take over from there.

On a final note, please understand that this set includes a print signed by Mick Rock and David Bowie, AND the limited slipcase edition of Blood and Glitter, signed by Mick Rock only. Some individuals on the MBs seem to be under the impression that this offer includes the print only...hope that's cleared everything up. Good luck!

*Orders shipped outside of the UK will be charged an extra £10

Exclusive Ltd Edition Signed By Bowie, And Much More!

I keep a photograph, It burns my wall with time...

Before we start, click on the image above to take you to a MUCH larger version so that you can actually have a look at what I'm talking about as you read this...

Sitting comfortably? OK. We've been dying to tell you about this one for what seems like an age, and now we've finally ironed out the finer points, we can. As many of you already know, UK company Showcase Editions have made available a limited edition signed Mick Rock print of David as Ziggy from Earl's Court in May 1973. Well, now they have produced a stunning limited hardback edition of Blood and Glitter that comes in a cloth-bound slipcase, and a very limited edition of only 100 copies of aforementioned print, signed by both Mick AND David!

This is the first time David has co-signed something of this nature, and ninety copies of this edition will be made available to BowieNet members only. Members can reserve a copy of this print on a first-come-first-served basis from 23:00 (11:00pm, GMT) tomorrow (Tuesday 29th May). Look out for further details of how to reserve your copy and a competition to win a copy of the £215 set from the list below at 12:00 (GMT) midday tomorrow.

Here's the full breakdown of the various permutations with prices for the UK, please read carefully before ordering from Showcase Editions. We are merely announcing the fact that these editions are available, as they will not be available for sale via BowieNet.

A limited edition of 100 copies of the Ziggy print signed by David Bowie and Mick Rock in a portfolio, together with a slipcase edition of Blood and Glitter, signed by Mick Rock, and a certificate of authenticity. Available to BowieNet members only.* £375

A limited edition of 250 copies of the Ziggy print signed by Mick Rock in a portfolio, together with a slipcase edition of Blood and Glitter also signed by Mick Rock and a certificate of authenticity. £215

A limited edition of 500 copies of the Ziggy print signed by Mick Rock in a portfolio. £110

A limited edition of 500 copies of the slipcase edition of Blood and Glitter signed by Mick Rock. £105

(Add another £10 to each price for orders outside of the UK)

The Showcase Editions website may not yet have been updated to reflect these various editions, but it will be shortly.

*In the unlikely event that BowieNetters don't snap up all of the prints in this edition, the remaining prints will be made available to Joe Public from the beginning of July...whoever he is.

Eno On Cocaine And Sex With Bowie In Q

Secret secrets never seen...

The July edition of Q has a few Bowie references worth a mention. Brian Eno is the subject of this month's 'Cash For Questions', and a fine subject he is too. Managing to skilfully dodge some of the more irreverent probings, the ex-Roxy Music synth player (sorry, couldn't resist) answered the question "You. Bowie. Cocaine. Sex?" (from TS Saxon) thus:

"Whenever I've worked with Bowie there have never been any drugs involved at all. And, no, I've never had sex with him. Sorry. I don't like drugs in the recording studio - they just mean everything takes five times longer to do."

The whole article is really rather funny, and without spoiling the piece, this question from Lars Makie of Detroit, while not Bowie-related (well perhaps it is sort of), made me chuckle:

"At the height of your time with Roxy Music, who was the biggest ponce, you or Bryan Ferry?"

To which Brian responded: "A ponce is someone who lives off the earnings of prostitutes. Perhaps you mean "woofter" or "peacock"? Actually I was more pea-hen, and Bryan was more Rhode Island Red, heh heh!"

The interview ends with some good news for fans of Eno's voice, in answer to a question from Andrew Burns in Liverpool:

"Can we expect another Eno "vocal" album?"

"Yes! [punches the air triumphantly]. Soon. This year...I hope."

And staying with Q for a moment...

This Month's Bowie Picture In Q

No, I won't do Subterranean Homesick Blues, now clear off!

I wrote a song for you...

I fully expected to find this month's Q Bowie picture (04/11/01 NEWS: THIS MONTH'S BOWIE PICTURE IN Q) within the pages of aforementioned questionnaire, but alas, 'twas not to be. A few pages later though, there he was, in a Bob Dylan birthday special that made no real mention of David, but nevertheless reproduced a mono shot from 1985 of our man with Mr Zimmerman himself.

Even further on in the mag, next to a full page advert for 'Substitute - The Songs Of The Who', is a review of the album from which these words are lifted:

"David Bowie, doing something from his own era rather than pretending to be a teenager...adds glistening cadence to Pictures of Lily."

There ya go. Haven't I always said that Bowie's the man for glistening cadence just when you need it!?