DIVAS, unite!

London’s esteemed Victoria & Albert Museum, aka the V&A, has revealed a oneof-a-kind collection to celebrate the power and creativity of iconic performers from the nineteenth century to today. The exhibit, DIVA, which opened in June 2023 and will be on display through 2024, is pulling back the curtain to share the stories behind the most eminent performers on stage and screen. Of course, all divas will be included, from opera goddesses and silent film stars to the sirens of the big screen alongside today’s global megastars.

Diva, meaning “goddess” in Italian, has been a term that has ebbed and flowed between criticism and compliment for centuries. DIVA exhibit curator, Kate Bailey, says, “At the heart of this exhibition is a story of iconic performers. With creativity, courage, and ambition, they have challenged the status quo and used their voices and art to redefine and reclaim the diva.”

The exhibition has acquired more than 250 objects from around the globe, spanning fashion, photography, design, costumes, music, and live performance footage. Storytelling is at the heart of the mission, as made clear by the intentional flow of the walk-through. With state-of-the-art theatrical staging and a sonic headset experience, the V&A fully immerses visitors in the lives of these performers, particularly emphasizing how they have influenced all aspects of society, from creating an emotional connection with their audiences to impacting civil rights and feminist movements.