A documentary film of the groundbreaking David Bowie is exhibition created by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London (V&A). Described by The Times as “stylish & outrageous” and The Guardian as “a triumph”, the exhibition features a remarkable collection of photographs, stage costumes, and other rare possessions from the David Bowie Archive. The exhibition was the fastest selling in the V&A’s history and is now on a global tour that has already travelled to Toronto, Sao Paulo, and Berlin to international acclaim, opening next at the MCA in Chicago until January 4 2015.
The film takes the audience on an extraordinary journey through the David Bowie is exhibition with special guests including legendary Japanese fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto, Pulp front-man Jarvis Cocker, and other collaborators, to explore the stories behind some of the key objects that document Bowie’s artistic career. The exhibition curators, Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh, provide fascinating insight into the most memorable music videos and original costumes, as well as more personal items such as never-before-seen handwritten lyrics, album cover artwork, set designs and diary entries, which reveal the creativity and evolution of Bowie’s ideas.
The documentary was filmed on the closing night of the V&A exhibition in London and directed by Hamish Hamilton., the BAFTA winning director of the Academy Awards and the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The exhibition’s curators Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh from the V&A Department of Theatre & Performance said: “We are delighted that as this extraordinary exhibition travels the world, people will get the chance to immerse themselves in a cinematic experience from the original London show. The film offers fascinating detail about key objects from the David Bowie Archive, commentary from special guest contributors and a fantastic soundtrack!”
About the David Bowie is exhibition
The V&A was given unprecedented access to the David Bowie Archive to curate the first international retrospective of David Bowie’s extraordinary career. Bowie is one of the most pioneering and influential performers of modern times and the exhibition brings together more than 300 objects including handwritten lyrics, original costumes, photography, set designs, album artwork and rare performance material from the past five decades. Bowie’s work has both influenced and been influenced by wider movements in art, design, theatre and contemporary culture and the exhibition focuses on his creative processes, shifting style and collaborative work with diverse designers in the fields of fashion, sound, graphics, theater and film.
www.vam.ac.uk/davidbowieis