Bowie 75: Uncovering His Intellectual Property at The National Archives

The National Archives hosted “Bowie 75: The Exhibition,” a free event celebrating the iconic musician David Bowie‘s 75th birthday. Running from December 17, 2021, to February 27, 2022, at its Kew location in Richmond, Surrey, the exhibition offered a unique perspective on Bowie’s multifaceted career, focusing specifically on his innovative engagement with intellectual property and copyright. Far from being solely an artistic genius, Bowie demonstrated remarkable business acumen, a facet meticulously documented within the UK Intellectual Property Office’s records held by The National Archives.

The exhibition served as a compelling demonstration of how a national archive functions, not just as a repository of government history but also as a guardian of cultural heritage through official documentation. Visitors benefited from an unprecedented glimpse into the processes behind registering creative works, stage personas like Ziggy Stardust, and even business ventures such as his company, Bewlay Bros. Ltd. The display featured a rich array of primary source materials, including original performance contracts, handwritten lyrics, early artwork, and various correspondences directly related to his intellectual property management. These specific examples highlighted Bowie’s proactive approach to safeguarding his brand and creative output, illustrating his foresight in a rapidly evolving music industry.

While the article doesn’t explicitly detail “risks” in the traditional sense for the exhibition, the careful curation by The National Archives’ records specialists implicitly underscores the responsibility involved in handling and presenting such historically significant and often fragile documents. The benefit to the public was clear: an educational opportunity to understand the intersection of art, law, and business through the lens of one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. It showcased the vital role archives play in preserving the tangible evidence of human creativity and innovation, making history accessible and engaging for a broad audience. This event was also part of a larger global celebration of Bowie’s milestone birthday, including dedicated pop-up shops.

(Source: https://www.westlondonliving.co.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/bowie-75-2/)