DAVID BOWIE IS...

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The David Bowie Is exhibition, at the V&A from March 23 to July 28, is one of London's biggest cultural events in 2013 for art, design and music fans alike. It features more than 300 kaleidoscopic artifacts from The David Bowie Archive, tracing his pioneering style and reinvention across five decades.

On display in the exhibition, curated by the V&A's Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh, are more than 60 of the musician's stunning stage costumes, impressive set designs, music videos and album artworks, plus more personal items like handwritten lyrics and instruments.​

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Highlights include the Freddie Burretti-designed jumpsuit from Bowie's Ziggy Stardust era, which he teamed with flame-orange hair, make-up and red patent boots, Natasha Korniloff's Pierrot costume, designed for the Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) album and Ashes to Ashes music video, and a set model for Bowie's 1974 Diamond Dogs tour designed by Jules Fisher and Mark Ravitz.

The exhibition will explore the broad range of Bowie's collaborations with artists and designers in the fields of fashion, sound, graphics, theatre, art and film and is supported by a series of talks, workshops, performances and late-night openings.

David Bowie Is runs at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL, from March 23-July 28. vam.ac.uk.

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350 SQUARE FEET

An incredibly efficient use of space. The only thing I'm not liking so much is the stove set up and the uber-tiny fridge. But either way, its an impressive feat of design and engineering.

RISE OF THE DRONES

Drones. These unmanned flying robots–some as large as jumbo jets, others as small as birds–do things straight out of science fiction. Much of what it takes to get these robotic airplanes to fly, sense, and kill has remained secret. But now, with rare access to drone engineers and those who fly them for the U.S. military, NOVA reveals the amazing technologies that make drones so powerful as we see how a remotely-piloted drone strike looks and feels from inside the command center. From cameras that can capture every detail of an entire city at a glance to swarming robots that can make decisions on their own to giant air frames that can stay aloft for days on end, drones are changing our relationship to war, surveillance, and each other. And it's just the beginning. Discover the cutting edge technologies that are propelling us toward a new chapter in aviation history as NOVA gets ready for "Rise of the Drones."

Click the image below to watch the program online.

METROPOLIS & C-3P0

Robot maintenance.

The Maschinenmensch (German for "machine-human") from Metropolis, is a gynoid (female robot and female android) played by German actress Brigitte Helm in both its robot form and human incarnation. Named Maria in the film, and "Futura" in the Novel, she was the first robot ever depicted in cinema. Robot Maria's haunting blank face, slightly open lips, and pronounced female curves in the film have been the subject of disgust and fascination alike.

C-3PO was played by Anthony Daniels in all six Star Wars films. Daniels initially did not agree to be cast as C-3PO; but changed his mind after reading C-3PO's part in the script and seeing a concept painting by Ralph McQuarrie, who based his early design largely on the Maschinenmensch from the Fritz Lang masterpiece Metropolis.

Lang (right) checks preparations for an upcoming scene.  Metropolis, 1927.

A young George Lucas confers with Anthony Daniels as C-3P0 on location in Tunisia, 1976.

PROMONTORY SUMMIT 1869

In May 1869, the railheads of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads finally met at Promontory Summit, Utah Territory. For some reason I cannot explain, I've always loved this image. It sparked my imagination as a kid. 

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UPSTREAM COLOR

Writer/Director Shane Carruth's new film "Upstream Color" has a new trailer. Carruth is best known for his independent film "Primer", which was honored at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival with the Grand Jury Prize. Carruth, a former software engineer with an undergraduate degree in mathematics, utilized his technical knowledge on the project. "Upstream Color" is his first film in almost 10 years. His next project, a science fiction film tentatively entitled, "Topiary", is currently in development.

ILM AVENGERS VISUAL EFFECTS REEL

Still the best in the business. Check out the great work from ILM on the Avengers. Mind boggling.  

We are proud to present this video which showcases some of ILM's Oscar nominated effects work for the 2012 hit film, "Marvel's The Avengers". This reel represents a small fraction of the work created by over 200 ILM artists, scientists, and engineers backed up by a world class production team.

DAVID BOWIE

Happy 66th birthday to David Bowie who also breaks his 10 year silence today with the release of his new album, "The Next Day".

Segment from "Extras" where a random encounter with a music legend in an exclusive pub ends up as an embarrassment.

© Matt Wallin. All rights reserved.