David Bowie and the Art of Music Video

David Bowie and the Art of Music Video explores the iconic career of David Bowie through his music videos, highlighting their intricate storyworlds and artistic contributions to the artform. It examines his creative and collaborative process across five phases, featuring directors such as Mick Rock, Stanley Dorfman, and David Mallet, and sheds light on the significant role of music video in audiovisual media, visual music, and art.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

David Bowie and the Art of Music Video is the first in-depth study of David Bowie's music videos across a sustained period, exploring the interweaving storyworlds of his iconic career. These videos are remarkable for their capacity to conjure elaborate imagery, making them fascinating exemplars of the artistry and remediation of music video. When examined across several years, they appear as time-travelling vessels, transporting kooky characters and strange story-world components across time and space.

By charting Bowie's creative and collaborative process across five distinct phases, David Bowie and the Art of Music Video shows how he played a vital role in establishing music video as an artform. Filling a gap in the existing literature, this book shines a light on the significant contributions of directors such as Mick Rock, Stanley Dorfman, and David Mallet, each of whom taught Bowie much about how to use the form. By examining Bowie's collaborative process, his use of surrealist strategies, and his integration of avant-garde art with popular music and media, the book provides a history of music video in relation to the broader fields of audiovisual media, visual music, and art.

One of the key themes of the book is Bowie's use of surrealist strategies in his music videos. Bowie was a master of the surreal, and his videos often featured bizarre and fantastical elements that were designed to challenge the viewer's perception of reality. These strategies included the use of dream sequences, magical transformations, and the incorporation of strange and unexpected objects and characters. Bowie's use of surrealism was not just a gimmick, but a way of expressing his artistic vision and exploring the depths of his imagination.

Another important aspect of Bowie's music videos is his integration of avant-garde art with popular music and media. Bowie was a pioneer in the use of avant-garde art in music videos, and his videos often featured collaborations with artists such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and David Lynch. These collaborations helped to bring Bowie's music to a wider audience and to establish him as a cultural icon. Bowie's avant-garde art was often characterized by its bold and experimental nature, and it often challenged the conventions of mainstream music and media.

David Bowie and the Art of Music Video also explores the collaborative process that was involved in creating Bowie's music videos. Bowie was a highly collaborative artist, and he worked closely with a range of directors, producers, and other artists to create his videos. This collaborative process was essential to the success of Bowie's music videos, as it allowed him to bring his vision to life and to work with other artists who shared his artistic vision. Bowie's collaborative process was also characterized by its openness and experimentation, and it often resulted in videos that were unique and innovative.

In addition to its examination of Bowie's music videos, David Bowie and the Art of Music Video also provides a history of music video in relation to the broader fields of audiovisual media, visual music, and art. The book explores the development of music video as a form of art, and it examines the various techniques and styles that have been used to create music videos over the years. The book also explores the impact of music video on popular culture and society, and it examines the ways in which music videos have been used to promote social and political causes.

One of the key strengths of David Bowie and the Art of Music Video is its use of visual analysis. The book includes a range of visual analysis that examines the various elements of Bowie's music videos, including the use of color, lighting, and composition. The visual analysis is accompanied by detailed commentary that provides insight into the meaning and significance of these elements. This visual analysis is particularly useful for students and scholars who are interested in the study of music video, as it provides a clear and concise way of understanding the visual language of music video.

Another strength of David Bowie and the Art of Music Video is its accessibility. The book is written in a clear and accessible style, and it is accessible to a wide range of readers. The book is also accompanied by a range of images and videos that provide further insight into Bowie's music videos. These images and videos are particularly useful for students and scholars who are interested in the study of music video, as they provide a visual representation of the various elements of Bowie's music videos.

In conclusion, David Bowie and the Art of Music Video is a comprehensive and engaging study of David Bowie's music videos across a sustained period. The book explores the interweaving storyworlds of Bowie's iconic career, examines the artistry and remediation of music video, and provides a history of music video in relation to the broader fields of audiovisual media, visual music, and art. The book's use of visual analysis, accessibility, and range of images and videos make it a valuable resource for students and scholars who are interested in the study of music video.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 230 x 155 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501335921