Futurism

‘The future belongs to those who see it coming.’ Bowie’s fascination with theories of the future, science fiction and new technology permeated his work, from his breakthrough album ‘Space Oddity’ to the film ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’. He was an early experimenter with new instruments, like the portable Stylophone. In the 1990s, Bowie emerged as a digital pioneer, recognising the internet’s potential to revolutionise the music industry by fostering dialogue between musicians and fans. His work foreshadows today’s global connectivity and the predominance of music streaming and social media.

Written by: Madeleine Haddon, Curator of V&A East
Published: September 2025

Museum Number
LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION.1154:1 to 8-2024
Description
Stylophone
Artist/Maker
Dubreq Limited - Dubreq Studios Limited
Location and Date
Great Britain, ca.1969
Materials/Techniques
Plastic, Metal, Ink, Cardboard, Paper, Pvc, Polystyrene, Electrical components, Moulding, Casting, Printing, Assembling, Pressing
Object information
Museum Number
LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION.1158:1 to 6-2024
Description
Reality
Artist/Maker
Korg
Location and Date
Japan, ca.1995
Materials/Techniques
Metal, Plastic, Solder, Wire, Electrical components, Printing ink, Ink, Nylon, Synthetic fabric, Wadding, Velcro, Pvc, Paper, Tape, Casting, Moulding, Soldering, Assembling, Printing, Handwriting, Machine sewing, Stamping
Object information
Museum Number
LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION.1058-2024
Description
Untitled
Artist/Maker
Paik, Nam June
Location and Date
United States of America, 1996
Materials/Techniques
Printing ink, Paint, Canvas, Wood, Printing, Painting, Mounting
Object information
Museum Number
LOAN:AMERICASFOUNDATION.2759-2024
Description
Bowienet
Artist/Maker
Yahoo Internet Life Magazine
Location and Date
New York, 2000
Materials/Techniques
Glass, Glue, Glass-working, Glueing, Engraving
Object information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/175
Title/Description
Space Oddity Cover Art by David Bowie
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1969
Materials/Techniques
Original drawing for the Space Oddity album cover by David Bowie. George Underwood used this hand drawing to devise the final album back cover art (see DBA/TEMP/172). Verso features another drawing and a handwritten track listing.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/172
Title/Description
Space Oddity Cover Art by George Underwood
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1969
Materials/Techniques
Original Space Oddity album back cover art by George Underwood. This painting was inspired by an original drawing by David Bowie (see DBA/TEMP/175).
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/168
Title/Description
Handwritten film storyline: Young Americans, Page 1
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1974 - 1975
Materials/Techniques
One page extract taken from the Young Americans film project, an unrealised project David Bowie was working on at around the same time as production of the album of the same name. This page is the first of a series of six handwritten pages by Bowie detailing the storyline of the film. This section introduces the time and place setting of the film, as well as the characters Major Tom Brough, the actor Jim Ray, and his agent Bert Henneman.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/169
Title/Description
Handwritten film storyline: Young Americans, Page 5
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1974 - 1975
Materials/Techniques
One page extract taken from the Young Americans film project, an unrealised project David Bowie was working on at around the same time as production of the album of the same name. This page is the fifth of a series of six handwritten pages by Bowie detailing the storyline of the film. It outlines the moment that Major Tom descends from his space rocket in a television broadcast which, unbeknownst to the audience on earth, is actually a recording of actor Jim Ray in a television studio.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/159
Title/Description
Contact Sheet from The Man Who Fell to Earth
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1975
Materials/Techniques
Black and white contact sheet containing pictures of David Bowie in a hospital bed taken by David James during the filming of The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/165
Title/Description
Photograph of David Bowie in The Man Who Fell to Earth
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1975
Materials/Techniques
Black and white photograph of David Bowie in a chair taken by David James while filming The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/167
Title/Description
The Verbasizer: Random Sentences
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
25 October 1998
Materials/Techniques
Four A4 pages of random sentences generated by software program The Verbasizer, written by Ty Roberts in collaboration with David Bowie. According to David Bowie's record keeping team this 4-page document was generated around the time of the writing of album 'hours...'.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/170
Title/Description
hours... New York Post Clipping
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1999
Materials/Techniques
A clipping from the New York Post of an article titled 'Bowie's Newest Disc to Hit Web Before Shelves'.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/171
Title/Description
hours... Lenticular Print
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
26/06/1999
Materials/Techniques
A sample lenticular print of David Bowie in which he is extending and retracting his arm. This is one of seven samples sent by The Holographic Image Studio.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/166
Title/Description
Omikron: The Nomad Soul Computer Game
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
1999
Materials/Techniques
A copy of the computer game Omikron: The Nomad Soul. David Bowie contributed a soundtrack and character voices.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/178
Title/Description
Handwritten note about the future of music
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
ca. 1998
Materials/Techniques
An A4 handwritten note by David Bowie giving his thoughts on the future of the music industry with mention to the band Oasis and singer Robbie Williams.
Item information
Reference Code
DBA/TEMP/176
Title/Description
Handwritten note about future record sales
Archive Department
Theatre and Performance
Date
ca. 1998
Materials/Techniques
An A4 handwritten note by David Bowie giving his thoughts on how artists and record companies will sell albums in the future.
Item information