Album cover shoot for Aladdin Sana, 1973. Photograph by Brian Duffy. Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive & The David Bowie Archive
September 25 – November 29, 2013
Art Gallery of Ontario
David Bowie is at the AGO the first North American stop on an unprecedented world tour, direct from a record-breaking run at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Spanning five decades and featuring more than 300 objects from Bowie’s personal archive, this totally immersive multimedia show celebrates the ground breaking artist’s collaborations in the fields of fashion, sound, theatre, art and film. An audio guide by Sennheiser is part of the experience and is included with admission.
David Bowie is — acclaimed by the New York Times as “united in sound and vision in a way rarely seen in a museum” — is the first international exhibition devoted to the British-born musician and performer. Organized thematically, the show takes visitors on a spectacular and interactive trip through Bowie’s numerous personae and legendary performances, highlighting his artistic influences and his experiments with Surrealism, German Expressionism, Music Hall, mime and Japanese Kabuki performance.
In addition to handwritten set lists, lyrics, diary entries, instruments and sketches, David Bowie is includes more than 50 stage costumes plus music videos, set designs, photographs and excerpts from films and live performances.
Pierrot (or “Blue Clown”) costume, 1980. Designed by Natasha Korniloff for the “Ashes to Ashes” video and Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) albumcover. Photograph by Brian Duffy. Photo Duffy © Duffy Archive. Courtesy of the David Bowie ArchiveImage © Victoria and Albert Museum.
September 25, 2013, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Art Gallery of Ontario
On the opening day of the exhibition David Bowie is, September 25, 2013, admission to the exhibition is free for the first 200 people who come dressed up as Bowie between the hours of 6 to 8:30 p.m.
We’re looking for Bowie-inspired makeup, costumes, fan gear — whatever says “Bowie” loud and clear. Show up decked out, mingle with Bowie impersonators and enjoy music by DJ Brittney Townson (of Bangs and Blush) and other surprises.
* Bowie is a style chameleon and has assumed so many personas — which one inspires you? – See more at: http://artmatters.ca/wp/2013/09/david-bowie-is-almost-here-and-free-celebrate-with-us/
Striped bodysuit for Aladdin Sane, 1973. Design by Kansai Yamamoto. Photograph by Masayoshi Sukita. © Sukita/The David Bowie Archive
Official Opening Party: David Bowie is here
Friday, September 27, 2013, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Limited capacity
Advance Tickets: $45 | AGO Members: $40 Tickets include admission to David Bowie is Cash bar and food stations
Celebrate the biggest exhibition of the fall – and one of pop culture’s all-time heroes – by attending the official David Bowie is opening party. Enjoy DJs, video tributes by local artists and a one-off pop-up exhibition with Toronto’s biggest Bowie superfans. Plus, be among the first to see the landmark exhibition the whole city will be buzzing about!
DJ Luis Jacob kicks things off in Walker Court, surrounded by video and GIF tributes to David Bowie’s legendary transformations curated and created by Toronto new media artist Lorna Mills. Meanwhile a pop-up exhibition of Bowie memorabilia, including items from Toronto artist Andrew Zealley’s vast collection, will appear for one night only in the AGO’s first floor galleries. DJ Odessa Paloma Parker will close the night, spinning Bowie’s best into the wee hours. Don’t miss it!
Special Combo Package for Two Exhibitions:
You can purchase a combo package for Ai Weiwei: According to What? and David Bowie is. This special offer provides you early access to the first block of tickets for David Bowie is. The combo package includes timed-entry tickets to visit David Bowie is at a date and time you select between September 25 and October 20, 2013. You can use your Ai Weiwei: According to What? ticket for any time slot to October 27, 2013.