London, UK – The forthcoming David Bowie Centre at the prestigious V&A Museum is set to open its doors on September 13, offering the public an unprecedented look into the life and career of the iconic artist. Adding a significant personal dimension to the inaugural displays, acclaimed musician and producer Nile Rodgers, co-founder of the legendary band Chic, has been invited to guest-curate a specific section.
Rodgers’ curation promises to provide intimate insights into his profound collaborative relationship with Bowie, particularly focusing on the genesis of the groundbreaking 1983 album ‘Let’s Dance‘. Their partnership on this commercially successful and critically lauded work marked a pivotal moment in both artists’ careers.
A Glimpse into a Creative Partnership
The display guest-curated by Rodgers will feature a selection of highly personal items that underscore the depth of their creative bond. Among the artifacts will be personal correspondence exchanged between Rodgers and Bowie, offering a rare look into their communication and shared artistic vision during key creative periods. These letters and notes are expected to illuminate the dynamic process that led to some of Bowie’s most enduring hits.
Central to the exhibit will be a bespoke Peter Hall suit worn by David Bowie during his iconic Serious Moonlight tour. This global tour, supporting the ‘Let’s Dance‘ album, cemented Bowie’s status as a stadium-filling superstar and is remembered for its striking visuals and energetic performances. The inclusion of this specific garment, tailored by Peter Hall, directly connects the visual spectacle of the tour to the musical output crafted with Rodgers.
Furthermore, the display will showcase photographs capturing candid moments from the ‘Let’s Dance‘ recording sessions. These images, taken in New York, feature Bowie and Rodgers at work, alongside blues-rock virtuoso Stevie Ray Vaughan, whose distinctive guitar work was integral to the album’s sound. These photographs offer a tangible connection to the creative atmosphere of those formative recording sessions.
Showcasing Iconic Collaborations
The partnership between Nile Rodgers and David Bowie extended beyond the monumental success of ‘Let’s Dance‘. Rodgers also produced Bowie’s 1993 album ‘Black Tie White Noise‘. This later collaboration demonstrated the continued evolution of their musical connection and Bowie’s willingness to revisit his past while pushing into new sonic territory, often with Rodgers’ innovative production touch.
The David Bowie Centre’s exhibits will not be solely focused on Bowie’s collaborations with Rodgers, however. The museum has also incorporated contributions from contemporary artists influenced by Bowie, highlighting his enduring legacy. The band The Last Dinner Party, for example, has contributed items that speak to Bowie’s impact across generations.
Included among these contributions are Bowie’s handwritten lyrics for his song ‘Win‘, providing insight into his songwriting process for this track from the album Young Americans. Additionally, the display will feature notes and set lists from his 1976 Isolar tour, offering a window into the meticulous planning and artistic intent behind one of Bowie’s most celebrated concert tours, characterized by its stark, minimalist aesthetic and focus on material from Station to Station and Low.
A New Cultural Landmark in East London
The new David Bowie Centre is situated within the V&A East Storehouse, a state-of-the-art facility located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. This location positions the centre within a burgeoning cultural quarter, accessible to a wide audience and offering ample space to house the extensive David Bowie Archive, which comprises over 80,000 items spanning six decades of his career.
The V&A, renowned globally for its collections of art and design, is an apt home for an archive as rich and diverse as Bowie’s. His work consistently blurred the lines between music, fashion, art, and performance, making the V&A East Storehouse an ideal venue to explore his multifaceted genius.
The opening on September 13 is highly anticipated by fans, scholars, and the general public alike, eager to delve into the archive and experience displays that illuminate the creative processes, inspirations, and cultural impact of one of the 20th century’s most influential figures. Nile Rodgers’ personal curation adds a particularly compelling layer, promising an intimate and authentic perspective on a crucial chapter in Bowie’s extraordinary journey.
