Inside the David Bowie Center: A Deep Dive into the V&A’s Newest Treasure
The highly anticipated David Bowie Centre at the V&A Storehouse is set to open its doors this Saturday, September 13th, offering an unprecedented look into the creative process of a true icon. As a long-time observer of Bowie’s career and the cultural impact he wielded, I’ve been following the development of this centre with keen interest. Here’s an exclusive look at what you can expect, gleaned from early access and detailed insights.
Unearthing the Archive: Beyond the Stage Persona
This isn’t simply a retrospective of Bowie’s hits; it’s a meticulously curated exploration of his artistic evolution, built upon a vast archive of previously unseen materials. You’ll discover the layers of thought, experimentation, and relentless self-reinvention that defined his career.
1. Lost Songs and Labyrinthian Challenges
Among the treasures revealed are fragments of an unrecorded 1991 song, “Ampalusa,” offering a tantalizing glimpse into a path not taken. Furthermore, a engaging letter sheds light on the complexities of bringing Labyrinth to life.
Bowie recognized the potential for humor within the film’s fantastical world.
Though, he wryly noted the goblins proved less-than-stimulating company during lunch breaks.
This detail underscores Bowie’s dedication to preparation, even extending to anticipating interview questions – as evidenced by his detailed notes for a conversation with Jeremy Paxman about the future of music, complete with planned soundbites.
2. A Culinary Journey with Bowie, Pop, and Visconti
Prepare for a quirky detour into the everyday lives of creative giants. You’ll find the menu from Berlin’s Schlosshotel Gehrus, documenting a meal shared by Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Tony Visconti. Bowie opted for bird’s nest soup (4.25DM).
Visconti chose french onion soup (4.50DM).
Remarkably, all three indulged in the intriguing “chicken cocktail” at 10DM.
This seemingly minor detail humanizes these legendary figures, offering a charming glimpse into their shared experiences.
3. Deconstructing the Lyricist: A Rhyme Scheme Revelation
Delve into bowie’s lyric-writing process through a unique exploration of his rhyming techniques. One exhibit showcases his brainstorming, starting with the line “this one will never go down.”
He then generated a cascade of rhyming phrases: “hiss soon spill feather blow town,” “abyss shun kill sever bow brown,” and “crevice undone refill blather mow gown.”
This approach offers a fresh viewpoint on his famed “cut-up” technique, revealing a more organic, word-association driven method.
4.A Centre in Constant Evolution
The David Bowie Centre isn’t intended as a static display. Three themed cabinets will rotate every six months, ensuring a dynamic and continually evolving experience.
The initial exhibits focus on the influence of drum n bass on Bowie’s 1990s work.
Another is dedicated to the contributions of Gail Ann Dorsey.
The final opening cabinet features curated selections from Nile Rogers and The Last Dinner Party.
Curator Dr.Madeleine Haddon emphasizes this commitment to staying “in conversation with contemporary conversation.”
5. Embrace the Exploration: A Guide is Essential
The V&A Storehouse embraces a “show, don’t tell” beliefs, minimizing overt signage. Therefore, to fully appreciate the depth of the collection, you’ll want to utilize the free-to-use guides.
These guides unlock the stories behind handwritten lyrics for “Win.”
They illuminate the significance of the extensive fan art Bowie meticulously preserved.
They reveal his unused cover art concepts for Low*.
I highly recommend grabbing a guide upon entry to maximize your visit.
6. Souvenirs and Further Exploration
While a traditional gift shop isn’t present, you can browse exclusive merchandise through the museum café’s online shop. options range from limited-edition Terry O’Neill prints (£2,700