The upcoming exhibition titled Divas & Icons, hosted by the Hungarian House of Music, will showcase the personal stories and original stage costumes of prominent performers such as Rihanna, Billie Eilish, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Maria Callas, Edith Piaf, Ingrid Bergman, and many others. Organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the temporary exhibition is scheduled to open in May 2024.
This grand exhibition, housed initially at the world’s largest museum of art and design, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, will conclude its run in its original venue in April 2024 before embarking on a travelling showcase, debuting first at the Budapest House of Music. Following Budapest, the exhibition will journey to several significant museums worldwide.
According to the statement, the exhibition provides insight into the history of iconic divas, spanning from opera luminaries and silent film stars to contemporary global sensations.
András Batta, the Executive Director of the House of Music, remarked that the exhibition offers a comprehensive view of the phenomenon of the diva, ensuring appeal across generations. The showcased divas range from classic film stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe to the youthful inspirations of Cher, Tina Turner, Madonna, and the contemporary allure of Rihanna and Billie Eilish.
The exhibition is poised to shape the future of the House of Music, influencing the programming with various related events and pop-up displays
that delve into the thematic areas raised by the exhibition in 2024.
The first segment of the display contextualizes the creation of the diva, exploring the luminaries of stage and screen who have shaped today’s popular culture. The second segment celebrates the modern diva, highlighting their influence and significance. The exhibition features hundreds of artefacts from the museum’s collection, as well as loaned items from around the world, encompassing design, costumes, fashion, photography, music, and film.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the stories of iconic performers like Ingrid Bergman through the costumes they wore on screen,
as well as explore the dramas of Sarah Bernhardt, Josephine Baker, Edith Piaf, Marlene Dietrich, and many others.
Noteworthy additions to the exhibition include costumes never seen before, such as Maria Callas’s stage attire from the 1952 production of Norma at Covent Garden and Marilyn Monroe’s fringed black dress from the 1959 film Some Like It Hot. The exhibition also features iconic outfits designed by fashion maestro Bob Mackie, worn by stars like Tina Turner, P!nk, and Cher; as well as performance costumes from contemporary artists such as Billie Eilish, Rihanna, Adele, Björk, and Whitney Houston.
In conjunction with the exhibition in the coming year, the Music House will also host periodic pop-up installations in various spaces.
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Source: Hungarian Conservative/MTI
