The Chance is Choosin’ – Michael Jackson: On The Wall – The MJVibe Review

The impact that Michael Jackson had on the world is all around us every day of our lives. From viral videos of kids dancing to his music with a hat and sequin jacket, to retail stores continuing the fashion movement Jackson began. He literally conquered the world and became one of the most influential, dynamic figures of our time.

So it’s of little surprise that his art, his life and his impact on popular culture has not only inspired like minded musicians and performers, but those in the art world too. It’s this inspiration that’s been brought together in London this summer in what’s being billed as the ‘must attend’ event of the year.

The exhibition’s name: ‘On the Wall’, a unique twist on the title of Jackson’s adult debut record ‘Off the Wall’, sees contemporary art hung ‘on the wall’ at the National Portrait Gallery to inspire, invoke and celebrate Jackson as a cultural icon, music legend and enigma.

An icon in its own right, the National Portrait Gallery has been at the forefront of London’s art scene since it opened 162 years ago. It’s heritage and prestige provides the perfect backdrop to exhibit pieces that represent somebody of Jackson’s stature.

It’s worth noting, this is not an exhibition of ‘fan’ art. Whilst some of the artists may indeed be fans of Jackson and his work, the pieces are of an artistic nature and so may not be what we as fans would traditionally look for, but there really is something for everybody and it’s best to attend with an open mind, ready to be surprised.

So what’s there?

Expect the unexpected! But isn’t that one of the things we love about Jackson the most? When the world thought they had him figured out, he’d change course and present new, innovating sounds, looks and performances to further raise the bar.

Weaving through the array of different pieces, some instantly recognisable, others requiring a little more study, it’s interesting to see how one man, with one lineage, has inspired so many different results.

One of my favourite pieces was titled P.Y.T by Appau Junior Boakye-Yiadom which sees a pair of penny loafers in the middle of the room, held up by a bouquet of balloons, mirroring Jackson’s iconic toe-stand. As the balloons deflated they are to be replaced, representing the continuous work required to uphold a public image. The vibrancy of the balloons reminded me of Jackson’s longing for his absent childhood and how it was forever looming above him throughout his professional career.

The highlight for me was of course Mark Ryden’s original oil painting of the Dangerous album cover. As both my favourite album and cover of Jackson’s career, seeing it was a surreal moment. I never thought I’d get to see it in its original form and being able to see the brush strokes and the colours in their full vibrance was both emotional and empowering. It was encased in a beautiful gold frame, reminiscent of the throne Jackson kept at Neverland Ranch.

The Andy Warhol pieces were also another stand out element. As perhaps one of the most iconic, artistic prints of Jackson to ever be produced, it fits perfectly into an exhibit that celebrates his impact on the world of contemporary art. Next to the three prints is the clip from the Scream short film where both Jackson siblings switch between art pieces, including a Warhol. The curator wanted show Jackson’s equal appreciation for art and Warhol as Warhol had for Jackson.  

Perhaps one of the more peculiar pieces for an untrained art eye such as myself is by Susan Smith-Pinelo from 1999 titled ‘Sometimes’, which features a 2.50 clip of a woman’s cleavage moving to the beat of ‘Workin’ Day and Night’ as she wears a necklace with ‘Ghetto’ written on it. The piece questions notions of black femininity in hip hop culture along with the struggle the artist experience having her work noticed as a person of colour – a direct relation to the social and cultural struggles Jackson himself experienced.

Jackson Photographer Todd Gray (pictured left) features a new take on some of his most iconic photographs of Jackson. The pieces represent “the obscuring of blackness’s cultural history and the African diaspora” and each description details how Gray approached the series to share a new message from his previous works.

What was noticeable at this morning’s press launch was the excitable buzz surrounding the exhibit at the gallery. The staff seem excited, with one telling me that he was her idol growing up in the 80s and how being able to work this exhibition brought back so many happy memories from her childhood. I spoke to a lady in the queue who told me that she’s not too familiar with Jackson’s music, but as a person and image she found him beautiful, we spoke for quite some time where she educated me about art and I educated her about Michael. It was that moment I realised how important this exhibit is. It’s the fusing together of people from all walks of life to learn, appreciate, understand and embrace Michael Jackson…and that to me is something I truly believe he would love. So, I highly recommend a visit if you love art, you love Michael, or if you’re just curious!

Pez Jax for MJVibe.com

Follow Pez on twitter @pezdann

Michael Jackson ‘On The Wall’ is sponsored by Hugo Boss and Sony Music UK and runs from 28th June 2018 – 21st October 2018 at the National Portrait Gallery – Tickets are available here