'The V&A was given unprecedented access to the David Bowie Archive to curate the first international retrospective of the extraordinary career of David Bowie. David Bowie is featured more than 300 objects that include handwritten lyrics, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs and Bowie's own instruments.'
When my husband said, “David Bowie’s died’ early on Monday morning, I was shocked.
So was the world. I looked at social media and joined in finding lots of images of his brilliant life.
I decided to change cazza.com this week to a David Bowie special.
The morning turned to sadness as I listen to Lauren Lavern’s show.
6 music dedicated the whole day to Bowie, fans writing in with their feelings and stories.
I don’t have a Bowie tale to tell. I wasn't lucky enough to meet him, I never worked with him, I didn’t go and see him live when I was 8, a dance teacher didn’t introduce his music to me. He has just always been there, his talent and creativity woven into a rich tapestry of culture; music, fashion, vision.
The closest I’ve ever been to Bowie was the
David Bowie Is exhibition at the V&A in 2013.
The best selling ‘retrospective of his extraordinary career, one of the most pioneering and influential artists of modern times.’
I went 3 times, I was a member so one could rock up whenever with a friend.
The exhibition was a wonderful collection of music, footage, original costumes, handwritten lyrics, photography, set design, artwork and rare performance material.
The exhibition book is an excellent reference,
click the pic to buy.
Entering the exhibition and a single costume designed by Kansai Yamamoto for the Aladdin Sane tour, where he toured as Ziggy Stardust for 183 shows in 1972-73.
A stage stage showing footage from Bowie's early years
A floor to ceiling screen of his first performance on Top of the Pops,with his Starman costume on a mannequin.
It’s hard to imagine seeing him for the first time in 1972, must of blow the minds of a generation. He looked like he landed from another galaxy. The only way to see music then was 30 minutes once a week on the BBC. There wasn’t the music saturation there is now.
A space scene with Space Oddity playing, a song about a fictional astronaut, Major Tom, was released around the time of the United States Apollo 11 mission to the moon, in 1969. There’s a crowd looking into a little space.
A big glass box with Fashion playing and some costume and artwork.
Leading to a large room with the Kansai Yamamoto cape hanging from the ceiling surrounded by flying books, a reference to his love of books.
The space is jam packed with costume, photography, artwork, handwritten lyrics.
I love this costume in a box,
Love Duffy's photographs.
David Bowie and pet take part in a promotional shoot for 'Diamond Dogs' in 1974.
Photography by Terry O’Neill
And the disturbing artwork for Diamond Dogs, huge on the wall.
There's an area with lots of Bowie’s original costumes.
A wall of TV’s with Bowie’s music videos being played.
My husband is thrilled to see his work on the screens.
(Music Friday is all Bowie)
The exhibition dips into Berlin.
The last big room has huge screens with live performance, setdesign and costume.
A cinema room ‘David Bowie Is Someone Else’ with his film performances.
Then a room with more costume, photo and film.
'David Bowie Is Forever Now'
I love the show, seeing David Bowie’s huge body of work up close.
He was a visionary, an inspiration, an icon.
He will be missed, but never gone.
Thank you V&A keep up the good work.
Cxxx