Throughout his career, David Bowie proved to be far more than just a musical genius. He encompassed all that it means to be an artist – a true Renaissance man – and created personas that continue to inform fashion trends to this day.
David Bowie Is, currently on view at the Brooklyn Museum, makes that point powerfully. The exhibition, which originated at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and has been on tour since, takes you on a visceral and spiritual journey through the life of the icon, who received CFDA’s Board of Directors’ Tribute in 2016 after his passing.
Last week, CFDA members, including Jordan Askill, Rebecca Taylor, Paul Morelli, Robert Lee Morris and more, had the opportunity to immerse themselves into Bowie’s expansive and innovative world during a private tour of the exhibition.
Working with Sennheiser, the exhibition features a unique audio experience allowing visitors to listen to specific soundtracks as they navigate the showcase. The effect of the audio devices makes the already multi-dimensional exhibition multi sensational.
The journey is intentionally impactful. Organized roughly in chronological order, it features costumes, photos, posters, videos, lyric sheets, and Bowie’s own oil paintings. The result provides a full picture of the legendary musician’s life, from the initial success of his hit single Space Oddity to his performances in major films such as Labyrinth.
During the tour, our members were naturally drawn to Bowie’s fashion statements. These looks were essential to Bowie’s self-expression, illuminated by his iconic Ziggy Stardust looks and, in later years, the tattered Union Jack coat from Alexander McQueen on display at the show.
Designer Nili Lotan was in awe of the exhibition, from curation to installation. “It is inspiring in every bone and every blood cell of my body,” Nili Lotan said. “He was a genius musician. From the clothing to the video clips, his creativity was endless. It was even more inspiring to see how he used clothes to express himself and to generate his music. There were no borders between the music, the costumes, and the personality. It was just WOW. What a unique person—one in a million.”
Adam Eckstein was particularly drawn to Bowie’s oil paintings and how provocative they were, adding that Bowie’s genius did not just lie in his musical talents. As Eckstein put it, “He is a man who never really stops.”
David Bowie Is at the Brooklyn Museum will be open to the public through July 15.
