David Bowie - Lodger Kodachrome - 1979

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Price range: £125.00 through £295.00

David Bowie Lodger Alternative Album Cover

“I knew Duffy’s work of course. Of all the ’60s photographers – who were all very good – for me what Duffy did was to be more creative. He didn’t just capture the moment – he invented the moment. I found him the most inventive of all those photographers. That’s what interested me.” – Derek Boshier

Taken by Duffy during the fourth of his Five Sessions with David Bowie in 1979 for the thirteenth studio album and final album of Bowie's 'Berlin trilogy' comprising of: 'Low' (1977), 'Heroes' (1977) and finally 'The Lodger' (1979). The cover art was a collaboration between Duffy and Bowie with Derek Boshier tying the project together graphically. Duffy's Experimental sink Polaroids and a behind the scenes studio shot were included in the album's gatefold graphics. David's bandaged hand was actually the result of a coffee burn before the shoot. However, it perfectly suited the dramatic imagery.

This image was Duffy’s take on the Lodger scene, which was originally intended for the album cover. Shooting from the rafters of his London studio, Duffy photographed David, who was suspended on a custom-built metal frame. Bowie’s face was then manipulated by a fishing line to enhance the look of the falling man. Until this imagery was published in the Five Sessions Book it was never released.

The clarity and warmth of the Kodachrome outtakes show all the minor details of the intricate scene that Duffy created. However, at the last minute, David decided to use a cropped version of Duffy’s test Polaroid for the album cover instead. Duffy’s Experimental sink and one of the Lodger Set images were also included in the album’s gatefold. David’s bandaged hand was actually the result of a coffee burn, though perfectly suited to the dramatic imagery, adding another element to Duffy’s scene.

Unsigned Mounted Open Edition Prints

Our Standard Archival Quality Pigment Ink Prints come in two sizes: Standard and Gallery. All of our prints are ready to frame and supplied with a choice of black or white acid-free mount.

A Standard Portrait print has an image size of approximately 7.5″ x 5″ (19.05cm x 12.7cm) in a 12.4″ x 12.4″ (31.5cm x 31.5cm) mount. Our Standard size open-edition prints are the same size as a 12.4" vinyl album sleeve for convenient framing.

A Gallery Portrait print has an image size of approximately 12“ x 8.25" (31 cm x 21 cm) in a 19.75 “ x 19.75" (50 cm x 50 cm) mount. Our Gallery size open edition prints drop straight into 50cm x 50cm frames, which are available from many retailers.

High-quality black frames for Gallery prints can be made in-house for mainland UK orders. Please contact us if you would like a framed print, and a quote will be provided.

A mount is a paper-based border between the frame and the image. It adds an extra decorative element and also prevents the print from touching the glass or perspex of the frame. We supply two sizes of mount, in either square or landscape/portrait aperture, in black or white.

As with all our prints, each open edition is handmade, printed, assembled and packed at the Duffy Archive. Each print is embossed with the Duffy Archive stamp, and the reverse of each mount has a sticker detailing a brief history of the session and ink stamped with a logo from Duffy's camera cases.

 

Duffy:Bowie Five Sessions (72-80)

The fascinating story behind this timeless session is fully documented in the Duffy Bowie Five Sessions Book told by those who were there.

Limited and Signed editions are available, to discuss options please Contact Us.

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