The Victoria & Albert Museum Acquired David Bowie Archives

The Victoria & Albert Museum announced they acquired a large archive of Bowie’s musical legacy. Overall, this archive includes more than 80,000 items. This complete archive includes materials from letters, to clothes, to his lyrics and instruments. Fans will likely be thrilled to see their music idol‘s personal belongings in a British museum.

The collection ties Bowie’s decades-long career. Also, David Bowie is not the first icon getting a permanent home in Britain. There are also many more faces and artists, such as Major Tom, Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane. David Bowie’s possessions will find their home at the new David Bowie Center for the Study of Performing Arts. It will open in 2025 at the new V&A East Storehouse outpost.

Bowie died in 2016 at the age of 69. According to The V&A, the facility will enable admirers and researchers to obtain insights into Bowie’s writing process. Kate Bailey, the museum’s senior curator of theatre and performance, said the archive was an “extraordinary” record of a creator whose “life was art”. She also said that he focused on a number of disciplines in his musical process.

According to her, he is someone who found inspiration for his texts in a wide range of topics: from literature to art history. Also, the V&A East Storehouse expressed their delight at finally being able to show all sides of him. They also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with the V&A to showcase the cultural and musical impact on young people.

$12 Million Donation to Construct this Facility

The statement stated that the construction of the facility was possible thanks to a donation of 12 million. The Blavatnik Family Foundation and Warner Music Group are those who donated this substantial amount of money. The V&A director Tristram Hunt personally spoke about this matter. “David Bowie was one of the greatest musicians and performers of all time”, he said. He also said the center is a new sourcebook for the Bowies of tomorrow.

Bowie’s pal Swinton, who starred in several of his music videos, added voice to the conversation by praising the V&A’s move as “really excellent news.” He also spoke about the museum’s 2013 exhibition. He said the exhibition is unquestionable proof that Bowie was one of the best artists of all time. The construction of this facility enables the growth of his influence on younger generations, as well.

“I believe everyone will agree with me when I say when I look back at the last 60 years of post-Beatles music, that if only one artist could be in the V&A it should be David Bowie”,  said Nile Rodgers, who produced “Let’s Dance” and other songs. “He didn’t just make art, he was art!”