David Bowie Is…
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
September 23, 2014–January 4, 2015
The “David Bowie Is…” exhibition enters the final stretch and has been widely discussed here in Chicago. Some believe this is not the place for such an exhibit (Where else should this be shown in the city?) while others see this nod as providing the MCA with a positive affirmation. Regardless, “David Bowie Is…” highly entertaining, packed each time I have visited (3 times to date), slightly flawed (We will return to this point), and continues to support the enigma multi-layered personna that is David Bowie. This is a world-class effort that has and will continue to visit museums around the globe. Exhibitions of this quality and high profile should be more commonplace in a world class city like Chicago. The bottom-line is that David Bowie as an artist and this exhibition are not 2nd tier productions. The MCA (and Chicago) “deserves” this exhibit.
David Bowie, 1960s-2010s
“David Bowie Is…” traces the life, art, and music of one of the late 20th century’s most influential artists. From his youth to the present, Bowie has proven to be adaptable and diverse in his selection of what he personally digests, then transforms, and presents to the public. There are few individuals who have worked at the forefront of the arts and entertainment industry redefining themselves while working with so many of our most gifted talents in a wide ranging set of media. Bowie is a talent and though this exhibit may offer slight controversy for location selection, it does need to be seen (and heard) if you have any true interest in the intersection of art and music over the past 50 years. There really is not a better location in Chicago for this exhibition. Yes, there is crass commercialism, yet arguing against David Bowie’s artistic influence is a mute point. He has influenced many of today’s relevant artistic innovators, including Cindy Sherman, Wu Tsang, Janelle Monae, and Lady Gaga.
David Bowie Is…Victoria & Albert Museum, London England, photo credit: LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images
Using current technology has been a trademark for Bowie, and the exhibit uses up-to-date sound, video and exhibition design to provide a singular full-bodied experience for the viewer. The continuous audio accompaniment allows one to focus upon specific sounds, commentary, and forms of aesthetics without distraction as one traces Bowie’s subversive path. There are videos that run from short documentary styled snippets to televised performances (e.g., Saturday Night Live, 1979), to music videos from the early 1980s MTV daze. This myriad of media holds something for all audiences.
Striped bodysuit for Aladdin Sane tour, 1973
The show is setup chronologically, devoting space by decade to the fashion, art, and music that influenced and was created by Bowie. He has a diverse palette. There are iconic art reference materials ranging from early 20th century art movements to pop and kitsch posters one encountered in the UK in the 1950s. As is common when comprehensive shows cover an artist’s full oeuvre, there are items that should have been curated out. The “red room of cinema” just was not needed for this venue. The space felt so very flat after the materials presented covering Bowie’s 1970s experimental work. This period of his career is perhaps his most critically important. My personal favorites being the Berlin triptych (Trilogy) and the painting of James Newell Osterberg, Jr., aka Iggy Pop.
Album cover shoot for Aladdin Sane, 1973
Design: Brian Duffy and Celia Philo; make up: Pierre La Roche
Photo: Brian Duffy
Photo: Duffy © Duffy Archive and the David Bowie Archive
The final viewing area attempts to create a “live” concert venue, complete with numerous looping videos, sound, and original costumed figures. You will be overwhelmed, yet there is a refreshing sense that you may even want to embrace. It is at this point you will realize that you can now take off your headphones and listen to the Bowie tracks with a full crowd and hopefully have culled a sense of who David Bowie Is…
Related videos and links from the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, England, & MCA Chicago can be viewed below:
V&A Video – David Bowie is: blowing our minds.
V&A Video – Jonathan Barnbrook: David Bowie is
MCA Chicago link – David Bowie Is…MCA Chicago
Review by Chester Alamo-Costello
