That's kind of the point? At least my impression is that it's part of the symbolism, he is the Blackstar. He's shed the physical form we've known him as and, well, crossed over.
Incredible album. I remember when it dropped how much discussion there was around where it would end up ranking on Bowie's ouvre. 10 years later and I think consensus is it was one of his finest works.
I don’t like it. I wrote a whole essay in college analyzing the British Man Who Sold the World album art and its hidden meanings. It’s such a good piece and this version just doesn’t do it for me.
Or rather, the men in marketing had more power in the US, after all TMWSTW was a huge flop in the UK, despite a great title song and the previous success of Space Oddity. Nobody was ready for David Bowie.
Yeah, I kind of think that doesn't count. Bowie didn't choose it. He chose the British cover, very deliberately, right down to the placement of the cards scattered on the floor. And the one he is holding, obviously.
https://preview.redd.it/sq0kkupuqo8g1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8c6af32cfae6b7efdb2705e46d7f13557f123fb2
This was posted here a while ago
You can play with (or download) the font here.
O bowie?
How did people decipher this? Genuinely curious.
They made it up I’d imagine, quite well too
As someone learning about any of this for the first time; let us cope. Man. 😭😭😭😭
It wasn’t a diss! Like I said, they did an impressively good job at it
Oh I see, you right! Happy holidays my friend
Never realized it was letters
What do you mean, he’s right there
🐍: exactly 😎 he is the Blackstar ★
"I'm a Blackstar, I'm a Blackstar"
You rang?
r/beetlejuicing
What a niche lol
That's kind of the point? At least my impression is that it's part of the symbolism, he is the Blackstar. He's shed the physical form we've known him as and, well, crossed over.
It's haunting and beautiful at the same time.
Ughh how could you do this to me on a Monday 😞
Where the fuck did Monday go?
I know, it’s okay, dear
He's sort of on the cover - or his liver cancer is. "Black Star" is a term radiologist use for how some cancerous growths appear in scans.
Wow, didn't know that.
Wait really that’s insane I never knew tha
That still awes me how he channeled everything into his art to the very end.
I did not know that medical term.
It's also the most emotionally raw album Bowie ever put out.
100%
Incredible album. I remember when it dropped how much discussion there was around where it would end up ranking on Bowie's ouvre. 10 years later and I think consensus is it was one of his finest works.
It’s tattooed on my arm.
https://preview.redd.it/9h7ipjl2to8g1.jpeg?width=2448&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bb5412f12347708c90762488a5acaa92b4d105a1
That’s what mine looks like.
https://preview.redd.it/7zc29lufpr8g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5f6ae19cb7a3b7d4370002bb981412202b3dab01
That’s awesome! Great minds, etc...
Same.
https://preview.redd.it/iye7yg5oto8g1.jpeg?width=2009&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ebf013ee80ad3acdeb9a13fd9ae05d1b0cc2ad52
Same.
https://preview.redd.it/c2uwrijhxq8g1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=586f1dcf0e4886f21ba751f0ec9b5bca01231de4
https://preview.redd.it/7p0g0yd5ur8g1.jpeg?width=2252&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5d6358e4725fe63a73f164d8ed33b2048d6d048f
Same
https://preview.redd.it/8b1hlcuzer8g1.jpeg?width=1204&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b017f91200ce051a023441cdb08d9ec20d591a4
https://preview.redd.it/k7an11mlos8g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e135ec92353af02745afccba456c4ee83ed9c145
We’re not very original, are we?
Looks great!
Got it on my ankle
It’s on my chest
By your heart?
Literally yes
There are actually a few...
Tin Machine II
Buddah of Suburbia (original had a tie-in cover with the TV Series)
Lodger (just his legs, the rest of him is technically the back of the sleeve)
Original US Edition of the Man Who Sold The World (Cartoon cover)
Forgot about tin machine ll 😭
Sorry to bust your theory but the American printing of the Man Who Sold the World.
https://www.bowiebible.com/1970/11/04/us-album-release-the-man-who-sold-the-world/#jp-carousel-1907
I don’t like it. I wrote a whole essay in college analyzing the British Man Who Sold the World album art and its hidden meanings. It’s such a good piece and this version just doesn’t do it for me.
Americans weren't ready to see a man in a dress.
Or rather, the men in marketing had more power in the US, after all TMWSTW was a huge flop in the UK, despite a great title song and the previous success of Space Oddity. Nobody was ready for David Bowie.
American here. Half of America still isnt ready.
That's a fact, sadly.
What do you mean, that's Bowie's Early Middle Aged Cartoon Cowboy era.
I alternate it with my Rebel Rebel eye patch costume each halloween.
Oh interesting, I’ve never seen that!
Also the original Buddha of Suburbia
Yeah, I kind of think that doesn't count. Bowie didn't choose it. He chose the British cover, very deliberately, right down to the placement of the cards scattered on the floor. And the one he is holding, obviously.
That one's ugly so it doesn't count (don't talk about Reality)
It's been observed and said many times.
Damn this is haunting
Jonathan Barnbrook designed those “glyph” characters as an alphabet of sorts, and it spells BOWIE.
He is tho
https://preview.redd.it/lf1ckrf0cq8g1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2e743d1c2cda0e4a53b481c001ef0d54084fb45f
Bowie wanted to release the album only on vinyl initially. If you take that pressing, you can swap the booklet and record, placing Bowie on the front.
What do Blackstar's star glyphs mean?
They spell out Bowie.
All you tattoo people are so brave. I just couldn't but I love yours!!
He’s brilliant.
.