In partnership with 
Sound experience by 
David Bowie is: About the Exhibition
Album cover shoot for Aladdin Sane, 1973. Photograph by Brian Duffy © Duffy Archive
The V&A has been given unprecedented access to the David Bowie Archive to curate the first international retrospective of the extraordinary career of David Bowie - one of the most pioneering and influential performers of modern times. David Bowie is will explore the creative processes of Bowie as a musical innovator and cultural icon, tracing his shifting style and sustained reinvention across five decades.
The V&A’s Theatre and Performance curators, Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh have selected more than 300 objects that will be brought together for the very first time. They include handwritten lyrics, original costumes, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs, Bowie’s own instruments and album artwork.
The exhibition will explore the broad range of Bowie’s collaborations with artists and designers in the fields of fashion, sound, graphics, theatre, art and film. On display will be more than 300 objects including Ziggy Stardust bodysuits (1972) designed by Freddie Burretti, photography by Brian Duffy; album sleeve artwork by Guy Peellaert and Edward Bell; visual excerpts from films and live performances including The Man Who Fell to Earth, music videos such as Boys Keep Swinging and set designs created for the Diamond Dogs tour (1974). Alongside these will be more personal items such as never-before-seen storyboards, handwritten set lists and lyrics as well as some of Bowie’s own sketches, musical scores and diary entries, revealing the evolution of his creative ideas.
Exhibition Sponsors
Gucci
Gucci is proud to sponsor this exhibition. David Bowie's creativity and idiosyncratic authenticity have helped shape everything from contemporary art, music and fashion to popular culture and social conventions. His contribution to the modern world will be felt for decades to come. Gucci hopes that this exhibition will inspire future generations to be as fearlessly inventive.
Sennheiser
At the heart of this exhibition is sound: the sound of one of the greatest music and style icons of modern times. Sound is also at the heart of Sennheiser, who are delighted to be providing the audio equipment for this genuinely unforgettable experience. The Sennheiser audio guide and groundbreaking sound system were installed with this in mind.
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