It is one of the most emblematic images of Bowie's art, one of the most recognised in the world, the icon of an era. And with the iOS 10.2 update it becomes an emoji.
The imminent new iOS update (version 10.2, released in beta over the past few days and available to everyone in the coming weeks) will bring a touch of glamour and a touch of rock (depending on one's needs) to Apple mobile devices. Among the new emoji that will be available, there will also be a tribute to David Bowie, the king of glam rock who passed away last January after his (secretly kept) battle against cancer.
Two new faces, available in both male and female versions, featuring the red and blue lightning bolt with which Bowie appears on the cover of the album Aladdin Sane, released in 1973.
The photograph, taken by photographer Brian Duffy, is the image with which David Bowie turned his alter ego Ziggy Stardust into an unattainable star, before staging the character's suicide during the last concert of the Aladdin Sane tour, on 3 July at the Hammersmith Odeon in London.
In addition to the new emoji dedicated to the Thin White Duke, the new update also includes new professional figures (such as firefighters, astronauts, teachers, etc.), finally available in female versions as well.
The release follows the major push by Google, launched last May, to promote diversity in women's careers and gender equality, even through seemingly less significant means, such as emoji.