Life On Mars was released in 1971 on David Bowie’s album Hunky Dory. Prior to Bowie’s death in early January, we curated an art show inspired by that song. Originally, 40 artists were randomly assigned a line from the song Life On Mars to create into artwork. After Bowie’s passing we added an additional twenty artists to the bill who created pieces inspired by the song in its entirety. Music performances by Mondo Deco, Spacewalker and Klaiber brought the night full circle. While this show was not meant to be a tribute, it did bring hundreds of people together to celebrate a wonderful man and that was a beautiful thing.
Lyrics to Life On Mars along participating artists below.
1.It’s a God-awful small affair -Sissie Marden
2.To the girl with the mousy hair-Mark Fox
3. But her mummy is yelling no- Kip Bridges
4. And her daddy has told her to go -Lauren Margaux
5. But her friend is nowhere to be seen -Skye Bergen
6. Now she walks through her sunken dream -Victoria Augusto
7. To the seat with the clearest view -Allen Chancey
8. And she’s hooked to the silver screen –
9. But the film is a saddening bore –Melissa Uroff
10. For she’s lived it ten times or more –
11.She could spit in the eyes of fools –Sarah Elliott
12.As they ask her to focus on -Heather Hogan
13. Sailors fighting in the dance hall -Paul Fisher
14. Oh man look at those cavemen go –Jared Konopitski
15. It’s the freakiest show –RA Bowen
16. Take a look at the lawman –Robin C Eagan
17. Beating up the wrong guy -Heather Crocker
18. Oh man wonder if he’ll ever know -Wel Sed
19. He’s in the best-selling show- Mike Hennessy
20. Is there life on Mars?- Ragain Blackard
21. It’s on America’s tortured brow -Todd P. Gingerich
22. That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow -Arthur Slagter
23. Now the workers have struck for fame -Jenn Bear
24. ‘Cause Lennon’s on sale again -Kay Kelison
25. See the mice in their million hordes -Mark Webster
26. From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads -Seán Ó Murchadha
27. Rule Britannia is out-of-bounds -Liz Barton
28. To my mother, my dog, and clowns –Jenn Ponci
29. But the film is a saddening bore -Sara Putnam
30.’Cause I wrote it ten times or more –
31. It’s about to be writ again-Tara Elizabeth
32.As I ask you to focus on -Luke Sanders
33. Sailors fighting in the dance hall -Kendra Concannon
34. Oh man look at those cavemen go –
35. It’s the freakiest show –Ron Hall
36. Take a look at the lawman –
37. Beating up the wrong guy –Ryan Winchell
38. Oh man wonder if he’ll ever know -Susan Chancey
39. He’s in the best-selling show –
40. Is there life on Mars? -Alexandra Argh
Artists inspired by the song in its entirety.
Andrew Hooper, Philip Davis, Sabrina Justice, Justina Martino, Ashley Silva-Howe, Matt Verdolivo, Genevieve Bradbury Bohan, Jilly O’Neall Baker Ching, Danielle Driscoll, Felicia Montenegro, Rachel Marie LaCasse, Christina Edmondson and Lucy Giles.
A limited run of 2 and 3 color linocut prints sold at the Life On Mars show are still available. These are handmade so each print is unique. Created by Melissa Uroff, 8×10, framed, $25 (two color) $30 (three color). Click here to purchase.
Words Melissa Uroff
Photos Alejandro Montaño, Melissa Uroff, Mig Law and Lauren Margaux.
Great show.very talented artits. Really enjoyed the evening.