‘David Bowie Is’ exhibition launched as augmented reality app

The ‘David Bowie Is’ exhibition was launched at the V&A in London to wide acclaim in 2013. Presenting a collection of the late musician’s costumes, stage props and various personal items in a colourful multimedia spectacle, the exhibition spent five years touring the world. It made its final stop at the Brooklyn Museum in 2018, and closed for good in 2018.

The exhibition, which was viewed by a total of two million visitors, has now been transformed into a mobile app. The augmented reality adaption allows users to interact and explore the exhibition from their own homes, and features over 400 high-resolution images and recreations of items from the exhibition.

On the app’s official website, the so-called ‘AR Exhibition’ promises to present the museum show “in stunning detail . . . without glass barriers or crowds of visitors.” Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman, a close friend of Bowie, introduces and narrates the virtual exhibition.

Launched on January 8, the release of the app marks what would have been Bowie's 72nd birthday. It also comes two days before the third anniversary of the musician's death.

‘David Bowie Is’ is now available for iOS and Android, and is priced at €8.99.