Best of Fall 2013: the six best art exhibitions in Toronto this autumn

David Bowie released the song “Golden Years” in 1975, but only now, at 66, has he officially reached retirement age. The Thin White Duke doesn’t like to spend much time looking back, and so this exhibition—which was assembled with his blessing—does it for him. Curated by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, and making its North American debut here, David Bowie Is presents a stunning multimedia exhibition of more than 300 objets from his incandescent career. It’s an absolute glamgasm, with Ziggy Stardust bodysuits, sketches, self-portraits, the elaborate props and set designs from the 1974 Diamond Dogstour and entries from Bowie’s personal diaries. Relentless reinvention has always been Bowie’s obsession; this is the first time his cultural mutability has been captured in one place. Sept. 25 to Nov. 27, Art Gallery of Ontario.

Our creepy film maestro is celebrated with a multi-part exhibition that includes art inspired by his work, a virtual reality experience and, of course, screenings of his flicks. Sept. 5 to Jan. 19, TIFF Lightbox and MOCCA.

Lexier, renowned for his cheeky conceptual art, gets to transform the entire Power Plant with a survey of recent creations and work in a similar spirit by more than 100 GTA artists he has selected himself. Sept. 21 to Jan. 5, The Power Plant.

Hermès’s travelling circus of luxury gives a glimpse into how the legendary house produces its to-die-for handbags, jewellery and, of course, scarves. Eleven artisans will show off their skills at this mini-atelier. Oct. 2 to 6, Design Exchange.

This wild exhibition presents 400 years of bestial figures in Asian porcelain, European ceramics and work by contemporary artists (including our resident china doll Shary Boyle). A truly toothsome menagerie. Oct. 10, 2013 to Jan. 12, 2014, The Gardiner Museum.

Winnipeg photographer Stocki built an inter­national reputation on uncanny images that have the shock quality of Diane Arbus and the warts-and-all documentary spirit of early Errol Morris. Oct. 25 to Nov. 23, Stephen Bulger Gallery.