DAVID BOWIE IS … alive and well.
The international touring exhibit that showcases Mr. Bowie’s transformation throughout the years, with hundreds of artifacts that he himself collected, is being seen at its final venue, the Brooklyn Museum. A fitting end to the 5 year tour that brings him back home.
Traveling the world since 2013, DAVID BOWIE IS … the first retrospective on the life and career of the music legend. It’s truly an iconic show – like the man. The idea for the project first took life when Bowie gave permission to Geoffrey Marsh and Victoria Broackes, curators from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, to explore his personal artifacts, stored in a secret location in New York City.
This exhibit features more than 400 pieces pulled from the artist’s personal archives, including handwritten lyrics, over 60 stage costumes, album artwork, diary entries, and photography. There’s also footage from select films, performances, and music videos, such as The Man Who Fell to Earth and Bowie’s 1979 Saturday Night Live appearance.
For this final Brooklyn stop, 80 new pieces have been added to the show, focusing on Bowie’s years in New York City, including the backdrop from the Broadway production of “The Elephant Man,” which starred Bowie in the ’80s, and large-scale film projections from his 1990 “Sound+Vision Tour.”
Most important, from my perspective, is the music. Visitors are provided custom headsets, to wander among the displays, listening to interviews, and Bowie’s music. I often found myself stopping in the middle of one room or another, closing my eyes, and enjoying the soundscape.
Room after room is packed to the gills with memorabilia. Everyone has their favorite David Bowie moment: The Thin White Duke. Ziggy Stardust. The Goblin King. The “Life on Mars” ice-blue suit. The Aladdin Sane knit jumpsuit with one shoulder. The Ashes to Ashes clown suit. They are all represented in this exhibit.
Since Bowie’s career has such longevity, there is always more to discover. Because of the headsets, each visitor experiences their own individual journey, finding new versions of Bowie to love.
DAVID BOWIE IS … currently on view and running until July 15th. Tickets start at $25.
Brooklyn Museum is a long time friend and partner of PMD Media. While this exhibit is a special one, we would be remiss not to mention the other exhibits on view, including the upcoming Radical Women: Latin American Art exhibit, and the amazing Visible Storage in the Luce Center for American Art.
