Gerardine and I went to the V&A opening of the ‘David Bowie Is‘ exhibition yesterday evening. Unlike so many of these events, whilst there were big names a plenty, everyone was looking at one thing…possibly the most stimulating and stunning exhibitions many of us have been to. The curation by Geoffrey Marsh and the audio visuals by Fifty Nine Productions (the people behind the Olympic Opening Ceremony visuals) whom have raised the bar for exhibition design – although I suppose it helps when you have content of this calibre! To hoarders and collectors like us the content is mind blowing. From images of Bowie as teenage Ted meets Mod in The Kon-Rads. That poster of him at the bottom of the bill to T Rex, Roy Harper and John Peel at the Royal Festival Hall, those hand written lyrics with the words changed, to that footage and THOSE stage outfits all put in brilliant context.
Just go and plan to stay for hours. To Gerardine and I it proved beyond doubt that Bowie is THE coolest most evocative rock star ever. There is no other act, performer or band whose life and career could produce an exhibition as rich as this. Bowie changed my life at the Aladdin Sane tour in 1973. Whilst making me sad that I can’t live it all again, the quality, attention to detail and the desire to break boundaries from this man and the exhibition has filled me with inspiration and energy at my desk this morning. Don’t miss this. Even though it’s just about sold out we have heard that they are keeping back tickets. We salute you David Bowie and the V&A team.
Read the great review by Simon Price here: The Quietus