Material 1 – James Webb Images 2023
James Webb is a space telescope enables the observation of the first stars and the formation of the first galaxies, and detailed atmospheric characterization of potentially habitable planets.
Here are the images that I’ve worked with:
Material 2 – David Bowie’s
“The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” Album
I got an idea from a famous musician, David Bowie. His music inspired me to mix James Webb space pictures with his “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” album single covers.
Released on June 16, 1972, David Bowie’s “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” is a concept album which tells the story of the fictional rock star Ziggy Stardust. “Ziggy Stardust” is one of the many alter egos of David Bowie.
The Album presents a story of the character Ziggy Stardust, a complete “birth-to-death chronology” of the character.
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars album, I embarked on a new creative direction. The album’s narrative served as a catalyst for interjecting James Webb Telescope images into the recreation of each single’s album cover.
I decided to interject James Webb images to translate the meaning of the Ziggy Stardust album, in each single.
Side 1
- “Five Years” – 4:42
- “Soul Love” – 3:34
- “Moonage Daydream” – 4:40
- “Starman” – 4:10
- “It Ain’t Easy” – 2:58
Side 2
- “Lady Stardust” – 3:22
- “Star” – 2:47
- “Hang On to Yourself” – 2:40
- “Ziggy Stardust” – 3:13
- “Suffragette City” – 3:25
- “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide” – 2:58
The Album and the singles has a chronological narrative here it is:
Due to a depletion of natural resources, humanity has reached its final five years of existence (“Five Years”)
and its only hope exists in the form of an alien messiah (“Moonage Daydream”). Ziggy Stardust, the consummate rock star (a drug-using, omnisexual human manifestation of an alien being), acts as the messenger, with his band, the Spiders from Mars, on behalf of extraterrestrial beings called “starmen.” The message, beneath a hedonistic facade, ultimately communicates the time-honored rock ‘n’ roll theme of peace and love: a starman will come save Earth (“Starman”). He communicates this message to the youth of the world, who, having lost the desire to rock ‘n’ roll, become enthralled. Ziggy, however, is ultimately destroyed on stage (“Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide”), his fate sealed by a decadence that only fame can encourage. (The same means by which many rockstars contribute to their own demise.)
I reimagined the singles in the album and interject with the latest space images by James Webb Telescope. I choose an orange red color for the background because the album and the stage costumes are very red!
Reimagined Single Covers
SONG 1 – Five Years
The story begins with the shocking revelation that the Earth has only five years left. As people grappled with this revelation, a sense of urgency filled the air. Ziggy, the alligator rockstar from space, emerged, bringing a mix of excitement and anxiety to the scene.
James Webb Image used in the design:
The Ring Nebula is a dying star originally named for having a planet-like appearance through small telescopes. In actuality, planetary nebulae are the remains of a star’s death throes.
SONG 2 – Soul Love
As the countdown continues, the focus shifts to the complexities of love. A boy and a girl explore a new, powerful connection amidst the turmoil, seeking solace and understanding in the face of an uncertain future.
James Webb Image used in the design:
The most distant black hole ever detected, revealing crucial information about the formation of early universe supermassive black holes 13.2 billion light-years away.
SONG 3 – Moonage Dream
Ziggy, an alligator rockstar from space, enters the scene, captivating the audience with a cosmic spectacle. Ziggy’s music, like a moonage daydream, enchanted the audience, offering an escape from the grim reality.
James Webb Image used in the design:
A galaxy with low metallicity, reveals organic compounds, cool dust in cyan, warm dust in orange, distant galaxies in orange, closer galaxies in green, and active star-forming regions in red and magenta.
SONG 4 – Starman
A cosmic figure, the Starman, emerges to bring hope and encourage people to embrace change and individuality. Ziggy’s music becomes a beacon of light in the darkness, offering a sense of possibility.
James Webb Image used in the design:
Earendel, the farthest star ever detected, a massive B-type star, more than twice as hot as the Sun.
SONG 5 – It Ain’t Easy
Life’s challenges take center stage as the climb to success. The journey wasn’t easy, as portrayed in “It Ain’t Easy.” Climbing metaphorical mountains and facing challenges became part of the struggle.
James Webb Image used in the design:
Behind the curtain of dust and gas in these “Cosmic Cliffs” are previously hidden baby stars, now uncovered by Webb. A rare peek into stars in their earliest, rapid stages of formation.
SONG 6 – Lady Stardust
Ziggy transforms into Lady Stardust, an androgynous alter ego, captivating with songs of darkness and disgrace. The concert becomes a vibrant spectacle, showcasing Ziggy’s allure and the complexity of his persona.
James Webb Image used in the design:
A detailed close-up of Rho Ophiuchi, the nearest star-forming region to Earth, reveals around 50 young stars, resembling the early life of the Sun.
SONG 7 – Star
Ziggy yearns for transformation as a rock & roll star, embracing the wild mutation of sound and spectacle. The song reflects on the desire for fame and the energetic highs of being a performer.
James Webb Image used in the design:
A newborn star with supersonic jets of gas, revealing the Herbig-Haro object HH 211, only tens of thousands of years old.
SONG 8 – Hang on to Yourself
The story shifts to the thrill of being a rockstar, with Ziggy reveling in the chaos and energy of the music scene. The song describes the wild and carefree nature of the rock & roll lifestyle.
James Webb Image used in the design:
6,500 light-years away lies the Crab Nebula, the remains of an exploded star.
SONG 9 – Ziggy Stardust
Ziggy’s journey reaches its climax as he plays guitar with the Spiders From Mars. The rise to fame is rapid, but the excesses and pressures of stardom lead to Ziggy’s inevitable fall, witnessed by the Spiders.
James Webb Image used in the design:
Planet-forming disks around newborn, Sun-like stars. Baby stars are surrounded by disks of material.
SONG 10 – Suffragette City
Ziggy’s final adventures unfold in the city as he grapples with the highs and lows of his once-celebrated rockstar life. The song echoes the chaotic and vibrant nature of Ziggy’s urban experiences.
Multiple James Webb images are used, previously in different single covers.
SONG 11 – Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide
The story concludes with Ziggy, now exhausted and worn, facing the consequences of a life lived in the spotlight. The song speaks of the struggles of fame, the desire for connection, and the hope for redemption as Ziggy becomes a rock & roll legend.
James Webb Image used in the design:
Details of the Orion Nebula and Trapezium Cluster, highlighting diverse astronomical phenomena such as outflows, planet-forming disks, and photodissociation regions.