S Poddar
Peek around a gilded balcony at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and you might just spot a familiar sight. A figure in a flowing red gown stands poised, seemingly ready to take center stage. It’s Taylor Swift, frozen in a moment from her Fearless tour, the teenage country princess about to belt out her Romeo and Juliet-inspired hit, “Love Story.”
This isn’t just any museum exhibit. This is the Songbook Trail, a brilliant and free exhibition that lets you walk through two decades of Swift’s music and career. Scattered throughout the museum, like hidden treasures on a map, are 13 installations – a nod to Swift’s love of Easter eggs and her lucky number 13. Peer inside the glass cases, and you’ll see more than just outfits. Look closely, and you might spot a faint golden light, a subtle reference to the “invisible string” that binds us in Swift’s 2020 album, Folklore.
The trail kicks off with a powerful statement. As you climb the grand marble stairs, you’re greeted by a mannequin dressed in the audacious Versace outfit from Swift’s “The Man” music video. It’s a bold challenge to double standards, a fitting entrance for an artist who’s shattering pop music norms. Here, amidst the grandeur of the museum’s permanent collection, Swift’s story unfolds – not as a nostalgic retrospective, but as a celebration of a career at its peak.
The museum’s collection becomes a silent guide, echoing the themes and symbolism in Swift’s music. Where you might usually find a neoclassical masterpiece, you’re now face-to-face with a fierce, snake-clad Taylor from her Reputation era. The space transforms to reflect the darker, more complex sounds of her 2017 album.
Folklore and Evermore, the introspective albums born from the pandemic, are represented by a moss-covered piano and the ethereal white gown from the “Willow” music video. Here, in a striking gilded cage, Swift’s artistry is laid bare – a poignant reminder of growing up in the constant glare of the spotlight.
The trail isn’t just about the glitz and glamour. A sweet blue dress and cowboy boots from her debut album stand against a pastoral scene, a callback to her country roots. The gold-paneled Music Room feels like stepping into a fairytale, a tribute to the whimsical romance of her Speak Now era.
The V&A’s embrace of “Swift-mania” is a stroke of genius, especially with the upcoming Wembley leg of her Eras tour. But this exhibition is more than just fan service. It’s a testament to the power of music and storytelling, a seamless blend of the old and the new that proves museums can be anything but staid.
So, whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or simply curious about the cultural phenomenon that is Taylor Swift, this exhibition is a must-see. It’s a chance to walk through her story, a song at a time.
