DIVA

Fashion | February 10, 2025 |

Diva
Kunsthal, Rotterdam
26 October 2024 – 02 March, 2025

The exhibition DIVA celebrates the unprecedented power and boundless feminine creativity of iconic performers who have been challenging the status quo with their bravura and ambition. With over sixty looks and costume designs by world-famous designers worn by people like Maria Callas, Josephine Baker, Marilyn Monroe, Tina Turner, Shirley Bassey, Cher, Elton John, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Björk, and Billie Eilish, the exhibition shows how these divas have used their performing arts to push boundaries and make a lasting impact on society.

diva rotterdam 002 — Image courtesy of Mark Sullivan

DIVA takes visitors on a journey that begins in the world of 19th-century opera goddesses and ends up in the contemporary pop and rock ‘n roll culture of global superstars. Originally meaning goddess, the exhibition explores the significance of the term diva. Over the years the term has been cherished and rejected, but was later reclaimed and embraced by performance culture as an honorary title. Visitors are guided past costumes, designer looks, personal objects, photos, videos, and a musical surround sound experience in a compelling exhibition design by Studio Harm Rensink.

diva rotterdam 005 — Image courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The first part of the exhibition zooms in on the historical context of the diva. In the 19th- century, this term was used to describe exceptional, female opera singers. On display are costumes of early opera stars like Adelina Patti and Jenny Lind, as well as an impressive ensemble once worn by ‘La Divina’ Maria Callas in the 1952 production of the opera Norma. In the second part of the exhibition, visitors step into a new universe, celebrating the diva of today. Among the highlights are costumes worn by Cher and P!nk, Tina Turner’s famous ‘flame dress’ – designed by the American designer Bob Mackie – and Shirley Bassey’s pink Julien Macdonald dress (complete with diamante-studded rubber boots), which she wore during a concert at Glastonbury.

DIVA shows the frosty blue ballgown Lady Gaga wore to the 2019 Golden Globes, as well as the gold floral gown sported by Björk – both designed by the fashion house Valentino. Through spectacular performances, controversial music videos, and extravagant costumes, these artists show that they are not afraid of transformation and are constantly challenging the established order.

more. www.kunsthal.nl

whitney houston performing at wembley arena, london, uk 5 may 1988 — Image courtesy of David Corio

diva rotterdam 007 1 — Image courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London

diva rotterdam 003 — Image courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum, London

diva rotterdam 004 — Image courtesy of David Corio

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