David Bowie will soon have a new reason to celebrate. The V&A in London has announced the upcoming opening of the David Bowie Centre, a free exhibition offering unprecedented access to the personal archives of the musical legend.
Unprecedented access to Bowie’s treasures
Next autumn, the V&A East Storehouse, located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will unveil an impressive collection of 90,000 items belonging to David Bowie. Among these treasures are handwritten lyrics, letters, iconic costumes, instruments, and stage accessories. Visitors can explore these artifacts in an organized manner or embark on independent research in a dedicated study area.
A world-class collection
The V&A East Storehouse will house over 250,000 objects and 350,000 books across four levels in a 170,000-square-foot space. Designed by architects Diller, Scofidio + Renfro, this space encourages independent discovery, moving away from traditional museum pathways. The revolutionary “Order an Object” service will allow visitors to reserve items from the collection in advance for on-site viewing, free of charge.
Photos : Victoria and Albert Museum/V&A Storehouse/DR
An immersive and personalized experience
Tim Reeve, Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer of the V&A, stated: “Through the V&A East Storehouse, visitors will be encouraged to immerse themselves in the magical world behind the scenes of museums and embark on their own journey through the V&A’s global collections.” This innovative approach promises to create more transparent and personalized experiences for all visitors.
Treasures for all enthusiasts
Fashion enthusiasts can admire the Union Jack coat designed for the Earthling album by David Bowie and Alexander McQueen, as well as Kansai Yamamoto’s creations for the Aladdin Sane tour. Film buffs will discover photo collages from Nicolas Roeg’s film “The Man Who Fell to Earth”, starring Bowie, and examples of the “cut-up” writing method introduced to Bowie by William Burroughs.
A living legacy
Handwritten lyrics of iconic songs like “Ashes to Ashes” and “Heroes” will offer a unique glimpse into Bowie’s creative process. The exhibition will also feature previously unseen projects and intimate writings, revealing the indelible artistic mark Bowie left on the world.
Photos : Victoria and Albert Museum/V&A Storehouse/DR
A visual and musical experience
Visitors will also be able to admire prints and photos of Bowie, tracing his famous looks from films, music videos, and live performances, from the Ziggy Stardust era to Berlin and beyond. This exhibition promises to be an unforgettable visual and musical experience.
Access for all
Thanks to a £10 million donation from the Blavatnik family and Warner Music, David Bowie’s archives will be accessible to the public at the new V&A Storehouse in Stratford. This initiative preserves and shares Bowie’s legacy with future generations, offering a portal into the history of one of the most influential artists of our time.
Photos : Victoria and Albert Museum/V&A Storehouse/DR
