A Display of Michael’s Memorabilia at O2
More than 250 items of Michael’s memorabilia will be on public display starting October 28 at the O2 Arena in London—the venue where he was supposed to perform his concerts.
After Michael’s death, the company AEG obtained the rights to stage an exhibition tour of Michael’s memorabilia, with the agreement of Michael’s lawyers and, of course, after permission from the judge. The exhibition will continue until January 31, 2010, and then it will travel to other cities—though their names have not yet been announced.
Clothes, jewelry and decorations, paintings, awards, musical instruments, stage props, the contract from the early days of his time with the Jackson 5, the royalty document related to the shoes designed specifically for performing the ground-bending move in the song Smooth Criminal, the handwritten lyrics text of Beat It with a black pen and no crossed-out lines, an old golden piano, a letter from President Ronald Reagan from 1984, and items from Neverland property—such as the giant entrance doors and a blue Rolls-Royce from 1967 that Michael would drive around Los Angeles in with Elizabeth Taylor—as well as symbols like the glove used to perform Billie Jean at Motown 25.
Clothes that were prepared for This Is It concerts are also among the attractions of this exhibition. Among them are a sequined jacket, as well as his favorite comfortable shoes with Michael Jackson’s signature inside them, and the outfits made specifically for performing the trailer.
The museum’s curator says: "These concerts didn’t happen—we don’t have this man anymore. But we have his legacy, and that’s what we honor with this exhibition."
But the most interesting part of the museum is the Neverland room, which is essentially a temple to Michael, featuring a fanciful painting of him in the king’s outfit and another painting of him in royal attire. A king’s throne—very decorative and made of red velvet and gold—sits there.
By taking a look at the items in the museum, you can easily understand Michael’s love for performance art and for art itself.
In the museum’s final room, one of the most iconic memorabilia items of the King of the stage is displayed: the sequined glove he received during his performance of Billie Jean at the 25th anniversary celebration of Motown. In this room, visitors can record their farewell notes to Michael by signing a guestbook.
Miko Brandao, the son of the late Marlon Brando and Michael’s longtime friend and colleague, considers this exhibition a fitting tribute:
"He was a genius in every sense of the word. This exhibition shows another side of Michael’s personality that many people may not be aware of. His love of art, his collection of clothes, his cars. He kept almost everything. Thankfully, he didn’t have the habit of throwing things away. These are only part of what he had. I think Michael would have wanted his fans to see his things."
Michael was also Miko’s godfather and the godfather of his daughter. Miko says he has been missing this old friend terribly, and he speaks about Michael’s death:
"I’m still numb. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to come to terms with it. It was very terrible. It’s one of those things that I don’t want anyone to experience. Nothing can bring him back. I’m still shocked."
Source: eMJey / michaeljackson.com