Jackson fans express anger over new art work

Photo: Premises studios

An art work installed in Hackney which replicates the moment the late Michael Jackson  dangled his baby son out of a hotel window has aroused anger among his fans.

The life-sized depiction of the moment in 2002 when Jackson caused controversy by dangling his nine-month-old son from a fifth-floor hotel balcony in Berlin, was installed at The Premises Studios in Hackney Road  last Wednesday.

Some observers claimed Jackson was endangering the child – something always denied by the singer, who died in 2009.

The art work, called Madonna and Child, was created by the Swedish sculptor Maria von Köhler.

Since it appeared, the recording studio has become the target of angry and even violent comments from Jackson fans who think the sculpture is an insult to the “king of pop”.

“I live in London. I know Hackney very well; I have many friends who live there. I think we will come to put the fire, or something worst in your shit exhibit. Don’t fuck with the fans of the King,” was a comment left on The Premises’ blog by someone who indentifies himself as Dip.

Messages have also been left on Michael Jackson fan websites. “You’re joking? Someone will probably blow it away. It’s ridiculous,” wrote Tom on themjplace.com. And another fan wrote on michaeljackson.com: “Not only bad, but indeed sick taste!!”

Viv Broughton, Chief Executive of The Premises Studios, said today that the artwork would not be taken down but declined to elaborate on why it has been put up. “How can a work of art that is faithful to a real event be construed as an attack on anyone? ‘Madonna and Child’ is as much about extreme fan worship as it is about Michael Jackson. Lots of people have come here to view it. Most people think it’s brilliant.”

2 Comments

  1. beverly grissom April 5, 2011
  2. Vincentpricenut2 April 6, 2011

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