But he is also an actor and artist who helped design his own
album covers, stage sets and costumes.
Now, 400 objects, from the multi-colored jumpsuit he wore as "Ziggy
Stardust" to a cocaine spoon, are going on display in Chicago at
the exhibit "David Bowie Is," running from Sept. 23 to Jan. 4,
2015 at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Tens of thousands of tickets already have been sold for the MCA
show, the only U.S. venue for an exhibit that has drawn huge
crowds in London, Toronto, Sao Paulo and Berlin.
"This exhibition repatriates David Bowie, the musical innovator,
into the territory of cutting-edge visual and performing art
that is his natural home," said Michael Darling, MCA chief
curator.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Sep/20/images/ads/current/tcb_lda_042814.png)
The multi-media exhibit was originally organized for London's
Victoria and Albert Museum by curators Victoria Broackes and
Geoffrey Marsh. Visitors wear headphones that play clips of
Bowie interviews and music, which change depending on which
object is being looked at.
Speaking to reporters in Chicago on Friday, Marsh said the show
reveals Bowie's "degree of obsession" with the creation of
culture.
"That's really what we really wanted to bring out - is the
nature of creativity," Marsh said. He said people leaving the
exhibit say they feel inspired to create something of their own.
[to top of second column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Sep/20/images/ads/current/st_claras_lda_082114.png)
"One of the things David always says is 'Don't copy me, don't look
at me. Look inside yourself,'" Marsh said.
One fan who plans a trip to Chicago for the show is Darrell Miller,
49, of Denver, who said he views Bowie as "like a living god, and I
mean this with all sincerity. He's outerworldly."
Scott Furtwengler, 50, a Houston musician, who also plans to see the
Chicago show, said he is inspired by the diversity of Bowie's style.
"To see all his work in one place, the costumes, the lyrics, the set
designs, his notebooks - that's pretty amazing," said Furtwengler.
Bowie himself hasn't attended the show. This doesn't surprise Marsh
- the show is called "David Bowie Is" because Bowie is always
evolving, and doesn't want to get stuck in the past.
"I'm sure he's working now on what interests him, which is hopefully
something we'll see in the future," Marsh said.
(Reporting by Mary Wisniewski; Editing by Sandra Maler)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Sep/20/images/ads/current/pestcontrol_bch_termites.png) |