David Bowie’s sell out retrospective exhibition at the V&A is set to go live at a cinema near you, as the museum prepares to broadcast a tour of the show to local theatres across the UK. ‘David Bowie Is Happening Now’ (12A) will be screened from 7pm on Tuesday, August 13 to offer a unique, live insight into the V&A’s groundbreaking exhibition about the man who fell to earth.
Featuring more than 300 objects from the David Bowie archive, “David Bowie Is” now ranks as the fastest-selling exhibition in the V&A museum’s history. Over 67,000 tickets were sold before it even opened and more than 200,000 people have queued to see the comprehensive collection of photographs, stage costumes and other Bowie artefacts.
David Bowie is happening now will be introduced by exhibition curators, Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh, and will feature special guests offering an insight into the stories behind some of the 300 objects from the David Bowie Archive, many of which have never before been displayed in public. The film will be directed by BAFTA winning director, Hamish Hamilton and produced by Done & Dusted Productions Ltd.
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 has selected objects, costumes and art from his vast collection, that was brought together for the very first time. They also include handwritten lyrics, fashion, photography, film, music videos, set designs, Bowie’s own instruments and album artwork.
This unique event will be shown in over 200 cinemas across the UK for your last chance to experience the exhibition before it goes on international tour. The film will be introduced by exhibition curators, Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh, and will feature special guests offering an insight into the stories behind some of the 300 objects from the David Bowie Archive, many of which have never before been displayed in public.
Contributors will include avant garde Japanese designer Kansai Yamamoto, who designed the flamboyant, androgynous Ziggy Stardust/Aladdin Sane costumes worn by Bowie on tour in 1973; Terry O’Neill – renowned photographer of celebrities of the ‘60s and ‘70s, who worked with Bowie on several occasions and who is perhaps best known for his striking photographs of Bowie for the Diamond Dogs tour; choreographer Michael Clark, a lifelong fan of Bowie, whose piece ‘come, been and gone’ was inspired by Bowie’s music and is featured in the exhibition; and contemporary artist Jeremy Deller whose piece ‘English Magic’ at the British Pavilion at the 2013 Venice Biennale, is in large part inspired by David Bowie and his impact on the English psyche.
David Bowie is happening now will be directed by BAFTA winning director, Hamish Hamilton who directed the live TV coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and produced by Done & Dusted Productions Ltd. The event will be brought to cinemas across the country by Picturehouse Entertainment Ltd.
The exhibition moves to Toronto’s AGO 25 September
Photo: © Artlyst 2013
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