Go on the Color Journey of the "David Bowie Is" Exhibit
The exalted "David Bowie Is" exhibit that began five years ago in London, and has embarked on a worldwide tour since, is in the middle of its final stop in the city that Bowie called home at the Brooklyn Museum. The exhibit runs until July 15th and features over 400 objects drawn primarily from the David Bowie Archive including original costumers, handwritten lyric sheets, original album art, posters, photographs and more, as well as previously unseen relics from his career.
"David Bowie Is" an intensely emotional tribute to an artist who kept creating and changing to the end.
David Bowie, unprecedented at the time for artists - musical or traditional, launched onto the scene with a creative process that sustained reinventions, innovative collaborations, bold characterizations, and revolutionized the way we see music. Inspiring untold millions, and multiple current artists, to shape their own identities while challenging social traditions. Without him, it would be difficult to imagine we’d have many of the leading musicians today including: Lady Gaga, Beyonce, The Killers, U2, Madonna and many more.
While Bowie adopted many characters and roles along his career, one unifying tend was his vibrant use of color. As one of our favorite flaneur artists, we take inspiration from some of his work on display.
The exhibit uses one of Bowie’s vibrant colors as the tour color. Orange is a
warm vibrant color with connotations of energy and flamboyance. It’s less intense than red but can be used to grab attention and highlight important areas of design.
The dark blue that Bowie used for the David Bowie Serious Moonlight Tour ’83 Poster carries the symbolism of importance, confidence, power, and authority. As it is a darker shade it can be used as a neutral in the bedroom.
Bowie in Yellow Suit Promoting Diamond Dogs. Yellow is the cheeriest color in the spectrum and can work great as a splashy accent but does not need to used sparingly. Here It will draw the eye and automatically become the focal point of the room. This deeper yellow with rich earth tones work perfectly in a mixture of modern and rustic and can add a sense of playfulness.
Bowie with Twiggy. Regularly recognized as one of the most iconic photos ever taken, in it Bowie is sporting dark red/brassy orange hair. The color draw is an indicator of vitality, strength, and passion. Shades of red are compelled by the intensity, beauty, and drama of the color. Used in bedding is a great way to add a little pop to a room with neutral shades.
Not one to shy from bright colors, Bowie created a fully conceptualized alter-ego in Ziggy Stardust. The high energy red represented the raw power his character was portraying on stage. As with this jumpsuit the red works well with grey, and balances the cooler color out with warmth and pizazz.
Known for his love of guitars, the Dan Armstrong was one of Bowie’s favorites and he used it to write many of this songs. It is a warm and versatile color complimenting a full spectrum of colors – if you’re looking for a luxurious touch, use it in combination with gold.
Complimenting a full spectrum of colors – if you’re looking for a luxurious touch, use it in combination with gold. Accent pillows, light fixtures, wall décor and other small touches are great options for keeping the combination in balance.
"David Bowie is" is organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The Brooklyn Museum presentation is organized by Matthew Yokobosky, Director of Exhibition Design, Brooklyn Museum.
