This spring, Galerie MR8, located in the Marais district of Paris, is dedicating a photo exhibition to the iconic David Bowie. Having passed away on January 10, 2016, the British artist continues to haunt, fascinate and influence pop culture to this day.
In London, on the other side of the Channel, a center dedicated to the singer is due to open its doors in September 2025. Visitors will be able to discover, on a permanent basis, over 90,000 objects linked to David Bowie. In Paris, fans of the British artist are not left out. From Saturday March 22 to Sunday June 22, 2025, an exhibition dedicated to the chameleon will be taking place in a Parisian gallery nestled in the Marais district.
Entitled " David Bowie, Mr Jones' Long Hair ", and presented for the first time in Paris, this exhibition brings together a series of photographs (some of which have never been seen before), focusing on fashion, cinema, literature, music, theater and painting.
" David Bowie, Mr Jones' Long Hair " features portraits of David Bowie, as well as photos of other artists who inspired him in the expression of his art, such as Jim Morrison, Bob Dylan, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and John Lennon.
Thanks to the writing of David Lawrence, author of"Marilyn Monroe, America's Secret" and"The World According to Andy Warhol", visitors are immersed in a journey that is both visual and literary, discovering an unseen face and story of David Bowie.
In all, over 70 photographs with commentary are on display, by fashion photographer Michel Haddi, Denis O'Regan, who followed the"Serious Moonlight" world tour, and of course Philippe Auliac, David Bowie's photographer and friend for over 35 years.
To accompany visitors on their artistic journey, a 3-hour soundtrack of David Bowie's favorite songs is played in the gallery. A film of David Bowie, shot by Michel Haddi during a photography session, is also projected onto a wall using a video projector.
The special feature of this exhibition is its design. Fans can discover this series of photographs, mostly in black and white and in large format. But that's not all. Each photograph is accompanied by a text by David Lawrence. For the writing of this new exhibition, the author and poet chose to borrow the character of Terry Burns, David Bowie's half-brother.
Born in 1937, Terence Guy Adair, or " Terry" to his friends, suffered from schizophrenia. Tragically deceased in 1985, Terry had a profound influence on David Bowie's career. He introduced Bowie to jazz, Afro-American music and the authors William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, Edward Morgan Forster and Jean Genet.
His death marked David Bowie for the rest of his cinematic and musical career. Jump They Say ", the first single from the albumBlack Tie White Noise, was inspired by his stay in Cane Hill Hospital and his suicide. David Bowie also pays tribute to his half-brother Terry in " All the Madmen ", the second song from the album"The Man Who Sold The World". " I always told David that death was not the end of the journey. And from where I wake in the nights, I follow his path, " reads a photo by Terrence Guy Adair Burns, on display at the gallery.
Through anecdotes, fictionalized but based on real events, and told through the eyes of his half-brother Terry, " David Bowie, Mr Jones' Long Hair " brings the photographs on display to life.
As photographer Philippe Auliac explained during the press tour, the exhibition offers several readings: photographic first of all, but also journalistic through the various captions, and poetic. Finally, there's " what would have been Terry's point of view ", said Philippe Auliac. According to the French photographer, who had known David Bowie since 1976, Terry was a role model for the singer. And his death was " always a scar for Bowie ".
All in all, " David Bowie, Mr Jones' Long Hair " takes visitors on an artistic journey. The exhibition will delight David Bowie fans, of course, but also lovers of rock and photography. Be warned, however, that you'll need to reach for your wallet. Unlike most gallery exhibitions, this one is not free. It costs 18 euros (full price).
To discover " David Bowie, Mr Jones' Long Hair ", visit Galerie MR8, located in the Marais district of Paris, from March 22 to June 22, 2025. The installation is open daily, Monday to Sunday.
Dates and Opening Time
From March 22, 2025 to June 22, 2025
Location
MR8 Gallery
8 Rue des Francs Bourgeois
75003 Paris 3
Access
Metro 1 Saint-Paul
Prices
Tarif normal: €18
Official website
www.bowieparismarais.com