We decided to give “starman” David Bowie his very own constellation. Together with the Royal Belgian Observatory we identified 7 stars in the form of Bowie’s iconic thunderbolt and named it ‘Stardust for Bowie'. The thunderbolt became the key visual of a digital mourning place, a microsite were all Bowie fans could upload their music in the universe with a personal message."It was not easy to identify the appropriate stars," says Philippe Mollet from MIRA. "Studio Brussels asked us to give Bowie a unique place in the galaxy. Referring to his various albums, we chose seven stars - Sigma Librae, Spica, Alpha Virginis, Zeta Centauri, SAA 204 132, and the Beta Sigma Octantis Trianguli Australis - in the vicinity of Mars at the exact time of his death. The constellation looks like an exact copy of the iconic Bowie lightning. "
Creative Execution
Stardust for Bowie was launched one day after David Bowie’s death. In a few hours it became a mourning place for millions of Bowie fans. On in integrated platform, linked to Google Sky, everyone could say goodbye to David Bowie in their own way. By choosing their favourite song, writing a personal message, and adding it to a star within the constellation.
Results
Without any paid media, 200.000 people said goodbye to David Bowie on the website and we collected 1.1 million shares and comments on social media. Stardust for Bowie dominated the global press, accounting for a total of 13.3 billion impressions. (source: Talkwalker)
It gave fans a chance to say goodbye in their own way and created a sense of unity.
When David Bowie died, radio station Studio Brussels felt that Bowie fans all over the world were looking for a proper way to express their grief.
Stardust for Bowie brought mourning Bowie fans as close as they could to their idol. First we registered a new constellation in the form of Bowie’s iconic thunderbolt. Then we invited Bowie fans to choose their favourite song and upload it in the constellation, adding a personal text. Stardust for Bowie became a place where Bowie fans shared their grieve and traveled the globe.
It’s borderline impossible to properly pay respects to a musician as massive as David Bowie. Studio Brussels wanted to give David Bowie a fitting tribute: an own constellation. Along with public observatory MIRA, Studio Brussel registered seven stars in the form of Bowie’s iconic thunderbolt. Bowie takes on a symbolic place alongside the 88 existing constellations. The homage to the 'Starman' is linked to an online action "Stardust for Bowie" developed on Google Sky. Listeners and fans of Bowie can create a personal tribute in the Bowie constellation on www.stardustforbowie.be. Each visitor may assign a favourite song and leave a short personal text in the shape of a star.