Unveiled: David Bowie's Last Hidden Endeavor - A Guide to Witnessing It In Person
David Bowie's Final Project Unveiled at V&A Museum
David Bowie's final project, an 18th Century musical named "The Spectator," has been donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. This exciting discovery was made in Bowie's New York office and marks a significant addition to the museum's collection.
"The Spectator" is a daily periodical that ran for 555 issues from 1711 to 1712, showcasing Bowie's interest in the development of art and satire in 18th Century London. The musical, which Bowie was working on during his final days, includes stories of criminal gangs and the notorious thief "Honest" Jack Sheppard.
Around 200 items from Bowie's archive, including the desk where he worked, will be on display at the David Bowie Centre, which is set to open at the V&A East Storehouse in Hackney Wick on 13 September. Visitors can book in to view things from the collection in person.
The notes for "The Spectator" were discovered stuck to the walls and locked away, with only Bowie's personal assistant and his son, Duncan Jones, having access to the room where they were found. The notes were left untouched until archivists started cataloguing Bowie's possessions.
The musical deals with themes related to Bowie's cancer diagnosis and his acceptance of his approaching end. "The Spectator" was initially thought to be Bowie's album Blackstar, but it turns out to be another fascinating project from the late artist.
Fans and scholars will have the opportunity to explore "The Spectator" as the notes will be available for viewing at the V&A East Storehouse. The exact release or display plans for the musical have not been announced yet.
This donation continues Bowie's legacy of pushing boundaries and exploring diverse genres, showcasing his versatility as an artist. The V&A Museum is honoured to have "The Spectator" as part of its collection and looks forward to sharing this unique piece of Bowie's work with the world.
