David Bowie collection among draws at vast V&A archives in east London

The V&A East Storehouse, located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, is set to provide the public with unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to its collections. According to Arts and Culture Correspondent Lanre Bakare, the storehouse, which resembles the iconic Hangar 51 from “Raiders of the Lost Ark” with its rows of climate-controlled boxes and artifacts, is designed to welcome around 250,000 visitors each year. Among the highlights is the recently acquired David Bowie collection.

Originally delayed due to the pandemic, the storehouse is slated to open its doors to the public on May 31 of next year. Spanning four floors and equivalent to the size of 30 basketball courts, it will house an impressive array of 250,000 objects, 350,000 library books, and nearly 1,000 archives. Tim Reeve, the deputy director of the V&A, emphasized that this storehouse represents a groundbreaking shift in how museums consider their non-display collections.

“It’s our working building, our collections hub, our Amazon warehouse for the V&A collection,” Reeve explained. He stressed that visitors will enjoy free entry to a self-guided cultural experience, allowing them to explore areas typically reserved for museum technicians, curators, and conservators. “It’s bringing to the public the bit you don’t usually get to see,” he added.

The storehouse features a diverse range of items, including Antonio Canova’s marble sculpture “Sleeping Nymph,” the Clothworkers’ Centre for textiles and fashion, and the Torrijos ceiling from the Altamira Palace in Spain. Reeve hopes that this ambitious new site, which replaces Blythe House in West London—previously only accessible to about 5,000 pre-booked visitors annually—will draw a much larger crowd in its first year.

Owned by the Delancey Group and leased to the V&A on a long-term basis, the £50 million relocation from Blythe House was made possible through a grant from the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport. The space itself is even part of the attraction, featuring 100 “mini curated displays,” including items from the collections of fashion designer Imane Ayissi and artist Xanthe Somers.

A major centerpiece will be the David Bowie collection, acquired following the success of the hit exhibition “David Bowie Is,” which set records as the fastest selling event in the museum’s history. Reeve remarked on its significance, saying, “It’s going to be called the David Bowie Centre… it will facilitate research and the creation of new knowledge about one of the greatest Brits of all time.”

The new site will also implement an “order an object” system, allowing almost any item from the collection to be examined on request. Reeve highlighted the commitment to equitable access, stating, “If you’re working on a GCSE artwork, that’s just as valid as someone researching a new catalogue or designing a new collection.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, calling the V&A East Storehouse a “wonderful addition to our capital’s cultural landscape.” Arts Minister Chris Bryant underscored the importance of accessibility, stating that enhancing public access to the UK’s cultural assets across diverse backgrounds is a priority for the government. “With more of our national collections on display, this unique and personalized experience will allow more people to better understand the rich heritage of our country,” he asserted.