The Duffy Archive announce the launch of the ‘Bowie Taken by Duffy’ exhibition opening at COAM Madrid on March 15th 2023!

February 17th, 2023 | by Nick

Sold Out, in association with Duffy Archive and Nomad Exhibitions, presents the world premiere of ‘Bowie Taken by Duffy’ at the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid (COAM), 15th March – 25th June 2023.

The innovative exhibition explores the creative processes of two of the most iconic artists of the 20th century: David Bowie and Brian Duffy.

Tickets for the show go on sale on Tuesday 21st February through www.bowietakenbyduffy.com

There is a waiting list open now, for those who wish to register their interest early.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the release of the iconic Aladdin Sane, album. Spain presents the work of Brian Duffy (1933-2010) – one of the most acclaimed British photographers – with David Bowie, one of the most talented and influential musicians in the history of pop music.

The sensational ‘Bowie Taken by Duffy’ exhibition will transport visitors to the five historic and visionary photo shoots between the two artists between 1972 and 1980, often referred to as Bowie’s “golden years”. That decade of collaboration by the art duo, both at the height of their powers, produced the images of the characters that best defined Bowie’s career: Ziggy Stardust, Thin White Duke, Lodger, Scary Monsters and the legendary Aladdin Sane.

The Madrid exhibition features more than 160 original items from the Duffy Archive collection, many items seen for the first time. Visitors will be able to enjoy vintage and modern photographs from the shoots, music, video clips, artefacts and large-format ChromaLuxe prints. Also on display will be the original cameras, posters, albums, artworks, sketches, notes, drawings and costume designs. The exhibition will show the original Aladdin Sane Dye Transfer print (the sole source of the 1973 album image).

The exhibition will bring together numerous unseen video interviews with the key people who worked with Bowie and Duffy on the iconic photo shoots, musicians, producers, artists, make-up artists, hairdressers, actors, designers, journalists, partners and friends.

Together, Duffy and Bowie broke the visual boundaries of identity. In 1973 they created the timeless extraordinary cultural symbol that became the cover of the legendary album Aladdin Sane, crafted from Duffy’s photograph of Bowie with the lightning bolt across his face, undoubtedly the image that best defined David Bowies entire career.

In short, this unique exhibition experience will immerse viewers in the particular context of the effervescent seventies while revealing the intricacies of the creative processes of two extraordinary artists over the course of several decades: from the Swinging Sixties to the New Romantics of the eighties and beyond.

Coinciding with the arrival of the exhibition in Madrid, different venues in the city will host numerous activities related to the two British artists. The details of this parallel programme will be announced shortly.

Place: Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid (COAM) COAM | Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid C/ de Hortaleza, 63, 28004 Madrid
Dates: 15 March–25 June 2023
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 9 pm
Closed on Monday (except public holidays) | Last entry one hour before closing
Prices: General admission (age 13+): €14.90, Child admission (age 4 to 12): €8 & Infant admission (age 0 to 4): Free.
Students, senior citizens (65+), members of large families (3 or more children), youth card holders and people with disabilities (rating of 33% or higher) are entitled to a 15% discount on the general admission price. Only valid for purchases at the COAM ticket office. The discount applies every day of the week. It may not be combined with any other special promotions. Proof of eligibility for the discount must be shown.
*These prices do not include the management fee (€1.50 per ticket), which is applicable to online and ticket office sales. Online purchase is recommended to guarantee availability and avoid queues at the venue.

More information and tickets through: www.bowietakenbyduffy.com
All Images © The Duffy Archive. Except Aladdin Sane © The Duffy Archive & The David Bowie Archive.