Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer - Inside the Exhibition
This impassioned exhibition, curated by the Barbican, presents a comprehensive vision of Clark’s career to date, from his meteoric rise as a young Scottish choreographer in the ‘80’s to the current day. Experience this unique showcase of Michael Clark’s multi-disciplinary approach that incorporates a wide range of subcultural influences.
Film, photography, and material from Clark’s practice is presented boldly through engaging multi-media and technology, documenting his legendary collaborations across visual arts, music, fashion, and film in an exhibition that will leave you energised, inspired, and exhilarated!
The reviews are in!
Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer has astounded the critics, who describe the exhibition as “Vibrant, Strange and Raw – Like the best Punk” and a “Feast for the senses” – The Courier. Check out the reviews below and book your ticket for this extravagant and ambitious exhibition today. Prepare to be enthralled...
The Zeitgeist of the 80’s, explored through fashion
Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer takes the audience on an exhilarating journey through the decades, not only through dance, but also through music, design, and fashion. Michael Clark collaborated with designers David Holah and Stevie Stewart of one of the most iconic British fashion labels of the 1980s – Bodymap.
This influential fashion house was renowned for layered and innovatively structured shapes, distinctive prints and ground-breaking fashion shows, encapsulating the post-Punk and New Romantic era, when street and club styles dominated the British fashion scene. The exhibition gives visitors a close-up look at a dazzling collection of original Bodymap pieces from the era, alongside exuberant costumes from collaborators such as Leigh Bowery.
'I never really had a plan, except to express myself as purely as possible'
From post-punk to Stravinsky, explore the music that inspired and moved the maverick spirit of Michael Clark.
Michael Clark rose to stardom during the early 1980’s, a time when new ideas about art, society and politics came together with a burgeoning underground club culture to create intense, unsettling creative ferment. Working with artists and musicians such as The Fall and Wire he attracted a new audience for dance: young, hip and more in love with fashion and music than contemporary dance or ballet.
Visitors to Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer will experience an impassioned, energetic retrospective of the life and works of Michael Clark, to an epic soundtrack and visuals from artists including The Fall, David Bowie, The Sex Pistols, Pulp, Kraftwerk and more…
Visiting the Exhibition? Make it a trip to remember!
We invited three very special guests to experience Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer and show us their favourite places to visit in Dundee, from day-life to nightlife, family favourite destinations, arts and culture hotspots and lots of fantastic venues for world class wining and dining.
Bonzai Bonner - Dj, Club Promoter, Music Festival Curator
Bonzai Bonner is the creative force behind the hugely successful Queer club night Shoot Your Shot. In this guide we take in the stunning Michael Clark exhibition and explore what Dundee has to offer for visitors and ‘must visit’ spots for food, drinks and lots of fun.
Jolene Crawford - Co-founder: Irregular Sleep Pattern
Join Jolene, co‑founder of the much loved Glasgow‑based ‘Irregular Sleep Pattern’, a sustainable, ethical bedding and sleepwear brand ‘for sartorial extroverts’ on a day trip to V&A Dundee to explore the Michael Clark exhibition, visit some favourite destinations and find out which independent stores are making waves in Dundee.
Hayley Scanlan: Founder and Director: Hayley Scanlan Studios
Dundee based fashion designer and entrepreneur Hayley Scanlan experiences Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer and shares her favourite places to visit in Dundee from Day Life to Night Life! Make sure to add these hot spots to your itinerary and make it day to remember.
Find out what our very own V&A Colleagues think of Michael Clark: Cosmic Dancer...