{"id":950,"date":"2025-09-11T09:30:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T09:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scientificmediagroup.com\/?p=950"},"modified":"2025-10-02T16:17:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T16:17:30","slug":"david-bowies-cut-up-lyrics-inform-dedicated-space-at-va-east-storehouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.scientificmediagroup.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/11\/david-bowies-cut-up-lyrics-inform-dedicated-space-at-va-east-storehouse\/","title":{"rendered":"David Bowie’s “cut-up lyrics” inform dedicated space at V&A East Storehouse"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Aladdin<\/div>\n

The David Bowie Centre, designed by local architecture studio IDK, opens at London<\/a>‘s V&A East Storehouse this weekend with an archive<\/a> of over 90,000 Bowie<\/a>-related items and a public exhibition<\/a> showcasing iconic, era-defining costumes<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening to the public on 13 September, the centre features an exhibition space with themed displays, reading areas and a study room, as well as an extensive archival collection.<\/p>\n

\"Aladdin
The David Bowie Centre opens this weekend in the V&A East Storehouse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It occupies a dedicated space in the Diller Scofidio + Renfro<\/a>-designed V&A East Storehouse<\/a>, which opened earlier this year<\/a>, and includes a vast range of instruments, artwork, clothing, stage props, and paper-based memorabilia that showcase the multidisciplinary creativity of Bowie.<\/p>\n

Designed by IDK<\/a>, the centre’s separate but connected spaces were informed by Bowie’s ability to work across different genres and media, as well as his creative process, which is revealed in the centre’s archive of handwritten lyrics, notes and sketches.<\/p>\n

\"Exhibition
Handwritten notes and “cut-up lyrics” by Bowie informed the centre’s design, according to Madeleine Haddon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“IDK were inspired by Bowie’s cut-up lyrics, oblique strategy<\/a> cards and tools for experimentation, and being such a magpie and bringing so many different genres together, which I feel is so well integrated into the space,” V&A East curator Madeleine Haddon told Dezeen.<\/p>\n

The main exhibition space was divided into nine rotating displays that highlight Bowie’s collaborators, influences and key moments in his illustrious career.<\/p>\n

\"David
It includes an exhibition space with nine themed displays<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Around 200 items are showcased in the exhibition, including the blue suit worn by Bowie in the Life on Mars? music video and a red jacket emblazoned with the Aladdin Sane lightning bolt, both designed by Freddie Burretti.<\/p>\n

Also exhibited is Bowie’s asymmetric Ziggy Stardust catsuit by Kansai Yamamoto and Union Jack frock coat by Alexander McQueen<\/a>, which was worn on the Earthling album cover.<\/p>\n

\"Ziggy
A catsuit designed by Kansai Yamamoto is among the pieces on display<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Across from the exhibition is a large red table, where visitors can pore over catalogues detailing the 90,000 items in the Bowie archive.<\/p>\n

Overhead, costumes in sealed Tyvek<\/a> bags hang from a clothes rail, each visibly labelled so visitors can look up the items in the archive.<\/p>\n