Speaking of matryoshka. Check out these Michael Jackson nesting dolls from a 2006 Music Art Form exhibit. Pop music meets folk art.
Update: It turns out that not everyone interprets this series the way I do. Two commenters think it's mean-spirited of the artist.
I think it's beautiful. To
me, this piece is poignant. It shows how as MJ's life (and
accomplishments) progressed, the world zeroed in on his flaws. To many,
this beaming talent became a tabloid plastic surgery story. It's a sad truth that the world puts talent on a pedestal, only to tear it down over time.
Art seeks
an emotional response. True, the first read might make many of us smile. However, I don't think the artist means to ridicule
Jackson. Instead, I think he means to highlight how ridiculous it is that we all are fixated
on his nose.
Furthermore, the style of the artwork is beautiful and quiet, not jeering or jokey. I don't
believe it is meant to poke fun at the subject. If anyone, I think it's mocking us as a people for not seeing past this man's appearance. This piece has meaning for me.
I'm sad he's gone.
And there’s his nose!! They said it went missing but it’s nice to see it’s turned up.
The many faces of MJ. The nose is hysterical!
the nose, the nose, haahaha…that is hilarious!! love it!!
That is great!
Really? This seems unkind and tasteless to me.
Snort! the nose is great!
I think they’re pretty. My favorite one is the first one on the left.
for you…
http://theredheadriter.blogspot.com/2009/08/secrets-friends-and-sharing.html
Very cool!
Hilarious! The nose. Too funny!
Oooh, I think they are kind of freaky, but I love the dolls below! Anything in your fabric looks great.
To me, this piece is poignant. It shows how as MJ’s life (and accomplishments) progressed, the world zeroed in on his flaws. To many, this beaming talent became a tabloid plastic surgery story. Art seeks an emotional response. I don’t think the artist means to ridicule Jackson, but to highlight how ridiculous it is that we all are fixated on his nose.
The artwork is beautiful and quiet, not jeering or jokey. I don’t believe it is meant to poke fun at the subject – perhaps at the rest of us.
I think its cruel, and a mockery of him to post it after his unfortunate death. Shame. You are better than this, no?
Just crazy!
sandy toe
that is just hysterical…love creative thinkers!
Janet
I think it is great that you have a sense of humor. I’m still laughing. Some people posting comments need to lighten up.
I love it – clever, clever. And I love your description, “Pop music meets folk art”. I would like to think that if these were made before MJ’s death… he’d have this set on his mantel.
hmmm…I guess I didn’t think too deeply about this and now I feel convicted for laughing about it, which honestly was my first response…and I suppose that could be considered cruel….what you said about MJ becoming a tabloid spectacle is very true and very sad. He was very talented, but I think something happened to him inside along the way that no one will really understand. A very complex life for certain. Even though you probably didn’t mean for this post to be so controversial, I am rather glad you posted it and your update, for it has helped me to remember to think about the person on the inside before I just read the cover (or the reviews about the cover)…
I totally agree with you, Heather! Very interesting.
i think it’s amazing! thank you for sharing!!
Very funny! 🙂
I love this and I also love your insight into/opinion on it’s meaning. Thank you for sharing!
The nose looks similar to “the finger,” so, the joke’s on us, or those who ridicule…
I love it when art starts a conversation or just gets your thoughts going. We all know that Joe Jackson used to make fun of Michael by calling him “Big Nose” as a child and he was obviously deeply hurt by that. He changed his nose constantly and never seemed content or satisfied. All of that anguish manifested itself in his nose – poor Michael.
They played Billie Jean at the grocery store today, it was fun to reminisce and sing along.
Big hugs to you, Heather!
How many times we’ve had the “what is art” conversation around here, most recently with our children… and this must be art because not only does it invoke an emotional response, it creates conversation/communication. My two criteria.
Wow. So very interesting!
I did a post on Michael Jackson as well, I think I was just over all the freak show stuff. Have people forgotten to respect the dead? The nesting dolls are brilliant.
Very well-said, Heather. I miss him as well.
love this post. he is loved and will be missed.
This image is so true, by the time he died everyone was focused on his nose. I laughed at fist, just like I did when I saw MJ on television with the mask and then the nose. And just like I did when I first read this post I began to feel sorry for him.
…..he was a genius at one time…….the drugs i think made him a cartoon………because of the drugs i think his muse disappeared and his obsession for attention led to bizarre behavior……..ironically, many people love the tormented male artist symbol………..
This is so cute. It looks like a puzzle. Cool!!!
I agree, I think it hones in on what the public saw about him anyway. I think it tells the truth and people don’t want to hear it. I can think of many MJ songs that I loved, but they were all before- before he became what the media classified as “weird”. Then it was scandal after scandal- I wouldn’t call it beautiful, but I would call it the truth. Thanks for posting it, I do like it.
I like their attitude!
I like their attitude!
A good pal of mine did an instalation on MJ last year…would love to show him this…any chance of getting the name of the artist who did this?
thanks!
Claire
This actually gave me a shiver when I first saw the picture. Proper goosebumps. I would have to agree with what you said – it’s a sad thing he’s gone and that by the looks of it he was possibly helped on his way by people he trusted 🙁
i, too, am sad he’s gone. i agree with your interpretation of what the artist meant by the pieces. it’s extremely sad that people focused on the wrong things and didn’t truly appreciate him while he was here! he was a beautiful soul and i wish he never had to hear such horrible terms as “wacko jacko”, “weirdo”, and others! like with princess diana, many people lost sight of what he was truly here for and focused on his personal life waaayyyyy too much! thank you for posting such a lovely tribute to mj!
abrazos,
bella
I take the work more literally. He started out a robust healthy black artist who got caught up in his own eccentricity and maybe hangups. He became less and less himself and finally evolved into the ever criticized subject of self inflicted plastic surgery gone WAY wrong. I wish he could have been happy in his own skin in his own truest self… His music is phenominal, his work amazing.
Definitely incredible! It’s too hard to get an idea of such creativity. I appreciate your work. Especially the nose is funny. But altogether, fantastic!
I want to have a set!? BADLY!
I think it is not very nice to laugh at these pieces. The reasons he had for changing his appearance are saddening. His father berated, belittled and mocked him for his appearance. His whole life he was told he had a big nose. so when he had the money he wanted to change that about himself. I dont think any of us will ever know the pain that he suffered through. I am glad he is at peace now. You know the funny thing is that noone said kind things about him till he died. Then it came out that he had donated more money to charities than any other famous person ever did. His heart was evident to those that were looking for good in him, the rest just wanted to believe the tabloids. He was not his mistakes.
“He was not his mistakes.”
PRECISELY!
I have come to the point where all I see is the GENIUS that he is…not his looks..his scandals..whatever negativities he have! All I see now is MICHAEL JACKSON!
But I want to have a set!!
This is NOT an art. Just making fun of an artist. Nothing new about this creation.
I’m sad he’s gone.
I’d like to have a set, how to get it? and whats the small one a nose?
Many thanks for discussing such an insightful article with all of us. I’ve bookmarked your blog will come back for a re-read again. Keep up the good work.
I think this is kinda creepy – not offensive…..but sorta strange.
Ok, that is some crazy artwork. Is this for real or just some good photoshop graphics?
You know the funny thing is that no one said kind things about him till he died. Then it came out that he had donated more money to charities than any other famous person ever did.