06 June 2013

David Bowie is opens at the V&A and Sennheiser audio is the co-star

David Bowie is, co-curated by Geoffrey Marsh and Victoria Broackes, opened to the public on March 23, 2013 at the V&A Museum in London. In a blend of attraction design, exhibition design and theater, David Bowie is presents two galleries of memorabilia and costumes from Bowie's substantial personal archives. A Bowie exhibit would neither be complete nor satisfying without music, and state-of-the-art audio technology is integral to the presentation. Most of the displays, videotaped performances and interviews are coupled with zone-specific audio delivered via personal headsets. The headsets come off for a climactic, immersive concert experience in the second gallery. Sound experience by Sennheiser - the TEA member company provided its guidePORT and Auro 3D systems, plus support services.

The 300+ objects on display include Ziggy Stardust bodysuits, set designs created for the Diamond Dogs tour, storyboards, handwritten set lists and lyrics and some of Bowie’s own sketches. Visitors may want to keep an eye out for Brian Eno's “Heroes” synthesizer in the concert area - an artifact Marsh called our attention to. Our own favorite stop was the kaleidoscopic video presentation of “Star Man” - Bowie's breakthrough, 1972 Top of the Pops performance. All in all, the exhibit contains some 4 hours' worth of material, which the average visitor will spend about 90 minutes browsing. David Bowie is will finish its V&A run August 11 and then head to half a dozen additional venues around the world, starting with Sao Paolo.... Click here to read the full article in the May 2013 Lighting&Sound International magazine.