Well, Al from Camden, do you really think you stand a chance? Even if you did make your intentions known in Monday evening’s London Lite.
I wonder if he’ll be going to ‘Kylie: the exhibition‘ at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which opens on Thursday? The pop princess even appeared herself at the prestigious establishment last night to open the show, due to run until 10 June. If the London free papers are to be believed, it is shaping up to be the most popular event in the museum’s history. And that’s even before it’s even opened.
But, according to the BBC News website’s Kylie exhibition ‘Have Your Say‘ page, a very different story is told. Now, before I go any further, I must declare a vested interest. A loyal fan of the petite Australian for the last 19 years, why shouldn’t an exhibition be staged of such a popular icon? The V&A show focuses on the ever-changing faces of Kylie, and the styles she has set or been seen in for the last twenty years. The memorable outfits are there of course; the ‘Neighbours’ dungarees, the gold hotpants, and the white hooded jumpsuit which, no doubt, played a lvery large part in the success of the biggest single of her career. A handful of outfits from the most recent ‘Showgirl Homecoming’ tour (which finished playing to audiences in Australia and the UK just two weeks ago) also make an appearance.
Posters on the BBC forum ask why Kylie being chosen as the subject of this exhibition, when there are other worthy contenders. The museum’s line is that the display looks at the stylists she has worked with, who have helped her to continually shape that ever-changing image. The collection toured Australia in 2005 and 2006, and was immensely successful, and is scheduled to move to Manchester and then Glasgow when it’s work in London is done. It is free to enter, and the V&A has reportedly had over 4,000 advance bookings, making even more sense of the timed ticket slots.
Of course, I plan to go. A veteran of every tour, and owner of most of Kylie’s music, it is partly the image which appeals. I was only at Wembley Arena a few short weeks ago for ‘Homecoming’, and what a mesmerising show it was. Yes, she may not have a strong singing voice, but with a strong back catalogue of hits, the ability to have the audience eating out of your hand, the numerous career second chances, the modest personality, and to be so accepted as part of the UK’s entertainment industry that you are almost thought of as British, Kylie certainly has star quality. And, that’s without the post-serious illness career comeback, and the very public and very recent relationship split. Yet, somehow she keeps smiling, and rises above the setbacks that seemingly go all out to befall her.
If the show brings younger people into the fantastic place that is the V&A, and encourages them to put a foot into other museums, then what’s the problem? The National Portrait Gallery recently put on an exhibition of Pet Shop Boys images, and although small, it was no less deserving. It’s true, the world is more celebrity-obsessed now. But, performers, whether in the musical or entertainment worlds, are just as much a part of popular culture and the arts as paintings, sculptures, and ancient treasures. Especially for my generation. And, they appeal to a much younger audience too. This is because, even if they are not actually more accessible, they at least appear to be.
And, if they bring more people into museums, that is surely worth celebrating.