David Bowie memorial at New Scotland Yard Emporium

Following David Bowie’s death last month, two members of Dartmouth’s arts community made a street-side memorial in his honour.

Filmmaker Alan Collins and visual artist Violet Rosengarten approached the New Scotland Yard Emporium at 45 Portland and asked if they could honour Bowie.

And they said yes.

“The Emporium is a new record store, hairdressing salon and café opened by renowned Dartmouth singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett, which has helped to revitalize downtown Dartmouth,” said Collins. “Members of the public are invited to view the David Bowie memorial and, if they wish, leave a memento or a flower while they visit the New Scotland Yard Emporium and drink a cappuccino in honour of the great musician, actor and fashion star.

Collins said he admired David Bowie because he was the most original rock star of his generation.

“He made music videos into an art form. He always had control over the visual style of his videos and collaborated with some of the best avant-garde directors in the business. He had a great screen presence. I first became aware of his music when I heard the song Space Oddity. I identified with the character of Major Tom. Listening to the song was like getting stoned.”

Rosengarten admired him for more than his music.

“His androgenous look was brave and new at the time. He pushed the boundaries on gender identity and had an impact on how acceptable and fluid the lifestyle has become today.”

Emporium manager Alex Babineau said the memorial has been drawing some attention.

“Everyone knows who Bowie is. And it is not out of the ordinary for us to be putting things up here from the public. It is a community minded kind of place. David Bowie himself would probably have liked to have come in here.”

Babineau gives a nod to the memorial and points at the wall to their latest acquisition.

It is a painting of Gloria McCluskey called “The Original Gangster.”

“Customers like to have a laugh. And they know the Emporium likes customers to feel at home.”

Bowie’s music is on rotation at least once a day.

“His final video is “Blackstar” on which he collaborated with Johan Renck, the director of The Walking Dead TV series,” said Collins. “One of the most striking images in the video is a woman with a tail like a character from Alice in Wonderland. The whole video is about death. He is not afraid to show himself aging in his videos. He acted in one of the best sci-fi movies ever made, The Man Who Fell to Earth. It was perfect casting because he looked like an alien in real life.”

The memorial can be seen from the street.

“To millions of his fans, David Bowie was irreplaceable and unforgettable. His influence will continue to be felt wherever rock and roll music is played. Long live David Bowie in our hearts and minds.”