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Speed of Life

David Bowie, Masayoshi Sukita

Speed of Life was born from over 40 years of creative collaboration between musician, actor and producer, David Bowie, and photographer and designer, Masayoshi Sukita – a partnership that produced some of the most iconic visual and cultural moments of Bowie’s career.

In this beautifully produced, limited-edition boxed set, the authors open Sukita's archive to assemble a 300-page visual essay, richly captioned with their own recollections and reflections. Together they trace Bowie’s remarkable artistic evolution from 1972 onward.

'It's very hard for me to accept that Sukita-san has been snapping away at me since 1972, but that really is the case... May he click into eternity.' – David Bowie

The Photography

Speed of Life

Meeting in the early seventies, by 1980 Sukita had photographed Bowie on nearly 20 separate occasions. A connection was formed such that over the ensuing decades Sukita's camera was never far from the focal point of Bowie's life and work.

Present at both private rehearsals and centre stage for some of Bowie's most spectacular performances, Sukita's lens has also preserved informal moments – a subway ride in Kyoto, or a birthday celebration with Iggy Pop – as well as studio portraits created during countless sittings together, including the iconic Heroes album cover.
 

'Whenever Sukita's asked me to do a session I conjure up in my minds eye the sweet, creative big-hearted man who has always made these potentially tedious affairs so relaxed and painless.' – David Bowie

Over 80% of the images in Speed of Life have never before been seen or published. Each is printed to the highest quality, with Bowie and Sukita’s words interwoven throughout the visual narrative.

The Manuscript

Speed of Life

'In 1972 there was very little information about David Bowie in Japan and when I had arrived in London I had never even heard his name. I was immediately interested and intrigued.' – Masayoshi Sukita

Subsequent to working with Marc Bolan of T. Rex, Masayoshi Sukita secured a meeting to present his portfolio to Bowie's former manager, Tony Defries, and photographer Mick Rock. So impressed were they with Sukita's work that a portrait session with Bowie was immediately arranged to take place at a rented London studio. The narrative thread of Speed of Life begins here - in London, 1972.
 
Over the course of more than 300 pages, Sukita and Bowie trace their 40-year story through extended captions that inform many of the greatest images they have created together. With both authors' words written in English and Japanese, Speed of Life is the first book ever to present an extensive visual account of David Bowie's ongoing relationship with Japan, and its influence on his work.

The Limited Edition

Speed of Life

The Speed of Life limited edition is comprised of 2,000 numbered copies, each individually signed by David Bowie and Masayoshi Sukita. Every element of the book’s design reflects the authors’ involvement and artistic intent.

The turquoise and magenta binding colours are directly inspired by two portraits of Bowie shot by Sukita for the Heroes session in 1977. The book is printed onto heavyweight matt art paper and quarter hand-bound in a bespoke-dyed fine-grain leather, onto a turquoise cloth cover as personally selected by David Bowie. Inset onto the front cover is an acrylic mirrored plate featuring an outtake image from the Heroes session. The book is housed in a hand-made slipcase bound in black buckram featuring pink, silver and turquoise foils and fine-grain leather accents on the top and tail edges of the slipcase.
 
Both authors' words are written in English and Japanese and the book has two ribbons that denote the synergy between photographer and artist and their respective cultures.
 
A specially created record pressing is included. Here, for the first time together on a 7" vinyl single, are parts 1 and 2 of David Bowie's 1980 recording, 'It's No Game', originally released on the 1980 album Scary Monsters, presented on a picture disc bearing two portraits from the iconic Heroes session.
 

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Speed of Life

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Speed of Life was born out of a 40-year collaboration between musician, actor and producer, David Bowie, and photographer and designer, Masayoshi Sukita. The authors have opened up Sukita's archives to assemble a 300-page photo essay which, captioned with their own recollections and memories, traces the development of Bowie's remarkable career from 1972 to the present day.

  • Available from: February 2012
  • Page size: 250mm x 360mm
  • 312 pages
  • 345 images
  • ISBN:
    9781905662210
  • Collector
    Only 4 copies available
  • Signed by:
    David Bowie and Masayoshi Sukita
  • Paper:
    200gsm Matt Art
  • Binding:
    Bound by hand in a fine-grain leather, onto a cloth cover selected by David Bowie.
  • Box:
    Hand-made slipcase bound in black buckram featuring pink, silver and turquoise foils and leather accents.
  • Extras:
    Suggested for inclusion by David Bowie is an exclusive record pressing. Here, for the first time together on a 7" single, are parts 1 and 2 of his 1980 track 'It's No Game' presented as a collector's photographic picture disc.

The story of your book

Since 1974 Genesis has created signed limited edition books on behalf of authors and artists ranging from the Beatles to Buckingham Palace.

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