Sotheby’s is pulling out all the stops for the arrival of the late David Bowie’s private collection at its London saleroom. More than 400 works of art and design owned by the musician are due to go under the hammer in a three-part auction on 10 and 11 November. As part of the ten-day public exhibition, Sotheby’s is kicking off a 24-hour bonanza of special Bowie events this evening (4 November), including a talks programme, tours with Sotheby’s specialists and a DJ.
Night owls can look forward to a midnight screening of Julian Schnabel’s film Basquiat (1996)—in which Bowie starred as Andy Warhol—with free popcorn and bacon sandwiches, while early birds will be practising meditation, reiki and yoga in the galleries from 7am. In what must be a first for an auction house, there will be a “fuzzy felt area” for children to design Memphis furniture miniatures at lunchtime on Sunday. And FOMO-sufferers who weren’t able to secure tickets to the Bowie fest can rest assured: Sotheby’s will be streaming talks live through its Facebook page throughout the weekend.