Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail – Free Exhibition at V&A South Kensington
Swifties assemble! Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail exhibition is now open at V&A Museum to celebrate the singer’s iconic looks on the stage. And the best part is, it’s completely free!
@urbanadventurerldn [BLOG POST IN BIO] Swifties assemble! 🎤 Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail exhibition is now open at V&A Museum to celebrate the singer’s iconic looks on the stage @V&A Museum And the best part is, it’s completely free! #taylorswift #swifties #swiftie #swiftietiktok #taylorswifttok #victoriaandalbertmuseum #taylorswiftfan #londontiktok #londonlife #CapCut
Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail
Photo: Urban Adventurer
If you’re a Taylor Swift fan, you don’t want to miss this free exhibition at V&A South Kensington.
Embark on a treasure hunt within the museum to explore costumes, accessories and instruments worn and used by the 14-time Grammy Award winner artist.
There are 13 stops on the trail, each showcasing chapters of Taylor Swift’s career. The garments and objects are dotted around different floors and wings of V&A South Kensington, turning this extraordinary exhibition into an exciting treasure hunt.
The displays are not in chronological order, so it doesn’t matter where you start.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail isn’t a trail for super fans only. The exhibition is designed the way that everyone can find it engaging. It’s a cleverly crafted trail imaginatively telling a story by choosing and connecting each position exquisitely.
Notice the Easter Eggs
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The costumes and other items are displayed all over the museum, however, they’re placements are not randomly picked. Each position has been meticulously chosen to enhance the meaning of the objects.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
For example, costumes form the video clip ‘The Man’ are cleverly displayed between the statues of Venus and Diana (the symbols of feminine power), while behind the display there are the Valhalla Mosaics from the 19th century which is a celebration of male artistry and craftsmanship.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
The ‘Red’ chapter is showcasing Swift’s iconic red dress from ‘I Bet You Think About Me’ video from 2021, designed by Japanese designer Tadashi Shoji. The display features a grand state bed from the 18th century.
The bed’s crimson drapes resemble the material of Taylor’s garments, and the bed is decorated with Autumn leaves bringing to your mind the line: “Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place” from ‘All Too Well’.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Another installation is showcasing a moss-covered piano along with the cardigan Taylor wore in her music video ’Cardigan’. The installation is surrounded by tranquil landscape paintings referring to the landscapes in the video clip and the early period of the pandemic in 2020 when the song was released.
Photo: Urban Adventurer
There are plenty of Easter eggs like these for visitors to discover allowing to experience the exhibition from a whole new perspective. Make sure you take time at each object displayed because the more time you spend with it, the more you notice.
An illuminating neon strip is winding around each display, acting as a string connecting all the pieces together despite of their different locations all over the museum.
Practical Info
Photo: Urban Adventurer
Address
V&A South Kensington | Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
Opening Times
Until 8 September 2024
Tickets
FREE to all | NO booking required
How Long Does It Take To Complete The Trail?
60 – 90 minutes (step free route available)
Arrive at the Cromwell Road entrance and go to the welcome desk for a guide.
The trail starts at the welcome desk and even if you don’t have the guide, it’s easy to follow the signs. Friendly members of staff are at hand literally every corner to help you if you need any assistance.
Digital map also available.
Ready for your next adventure? Design Museum’s Barbie: The Exhibition is exploring the evolution of the iconic doll and how it shaped culture, design and furniture.