LONDON — The official exhibition of rare Michael Jackson memorabilia will go on display in London this week.
The exhibition is a documentation of his musical legacy, said curator Robert Santelli. The show, starting Wednesday at the O2 Bubble arena, will feature Jackson in his many guises, including his roles as stylist, dancer and lyricist.
Some of the memorabilia includes the late singer’s navy blue Rolls-Royce, a selection of his trademark gloves and sequined jackets and a contract from his early days with the Jackson 5. Another jewel of the exhibition is the design and patent for the shoes he invented for the lean dance move that he does in the “Smooth Criminal” video.
Potentially the most interesting part of the exhibition is the Neverland room, a shrine to Jackson with a fantasy painting of him being knighted and another depicting him wearing royal garb, as well as an ornate throne of red velvet and gold.
The exhibit is timed to coincide with the release of a posthumous album and a movie consisting of rehearsals for his ill-fated “This is It” comeback performances in London. The sold-out shows were canceled after Jackson’s sudden death in June.
The exhibition, which includes some 250 items, including many from Jackson’s personal estate, will stay in London for three months before it moves on to other cities. Organizers did not say which other cities would host the exhibition.
“What we have done here is try to illustrate through objects and film his musical legacy, which most people would agree is the most important and one of the most profound in the history of the 21 century,” said Santelli.
Jackson’s love of the theatrical is well represented, including many sparkling jackets and costumes he wore on stage. The exhibition ends with his famous jeweled glove in a room where fans can write their farewell wishes to the deceased star.
Mike Brando, a former bodyguard to Jackson and son of Marlon Brando, said the exhibit is a fitting tribute.
“He was just a genius,” Brando said. “Hopefully this exhibition will show another side of Michael that maybe a lot of people did not know about.”
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