Candice Breitz

King (a portrait of Michael Jackson) is a piece consisting of 16 Michael Jackson fanatics with headphones in their ears singing and dancing to the whole 1982 album Thriller producing an a capella version of each song. Breitz found the fans by posting ads in newspapers, magazines and the internet and then picked the 'most deserving' fans to record in the studio. The fact that every one of the applicants can sing the whole album (including the various ah hoo's from Jackson himself) is a testament to his reign as king of pop. This was obviously the aim of the work, to represent a pop star through his fans, without whom he would not have become one. This piece is a unconventional portrait of sorts which has had viewers around the world stunned. The familiarity of Michael Jackson is drawn upon by Breitz so that most audiences are able to connect to the work and enjoy it.

Although I can see the point of the art the way I perceived it was quite different. Rather than seeing it as a portrait of Michael Jackson I saw it as a portrait of each of the participants of the film. Throughout the film it became quite clear to me what each person would be like if I was to meet them. For example there were those who simply stood still and sung. This was in contrast to those dressed in Michael Jackson-esque outfits who thought they would sport a moon walk and a crotch grab every now and then. Although these may be very superficial observations I think they show both the personality of the participant as well as their own personal way of appreciating the music of Michael Jackson.

Overall this work is wonderfully dynamic and interesting, even when I lack a liking for Michael Jackson's music I found it thoroughly enjoyable and interesting. I hope to create works like it in the future.




References

Photos by me.

[Gallery of Modern Art, Art in the 21st Century: The 1st Decade, Candice Breitz, King (a portrait of Michael Jackson).]