MICHAEL JACKSONTHIS IS IT

THIS IS IT

Michael Jackson was more than a pop star. He was a phenomenon, an artist, a visionary, whose influence extended far beyond the boundaries of music. With his distinctive voice, groundbreaking choreographies, and unwavering belief in the power of art, he shaped generations and changed pop culture forever.

The title of the exhibition, This Is It, is not only recalling the planned concert series that was to be the artistic highlight of his career in summer 2009. This Is It is Jackson's legacy – a motto that reflects his perfectionism, his inexhaustible creativity, and the uncompromising demands he placed on himself. Every show, every song, every performance ought to be the definitive one, the best one – a promise to his audience and to his art itself.

This exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the phenomenon of Michael Jackson from different perspectives. It shows the performer who revolutionized dance vocabulary and created a global symbol with iconic moves such as the moonwalk. It shows the musician who broke down the boundaries between genres, fusing funk, soul, rock, and pop into a universal language. And it shows the gentle and vulnerable person who sought truth, love, and justice behind the fame.

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  Michael Jackson, THIS IS IT, rehearsal photo1, Staples Center L.A © 2009 The Michael Jackson Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved

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  Michael Jackson, THIS IS IT, rehearsal photo 2, Staples Center L.A. © 2009 The Michael Jackson Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved

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  Michael Jackson, THIS IS IT, rehearsal photo 9, Staples Center L.A. © 2009 The Michael Jackson Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved

His albums, his photographs, his intimate confessions, and numerous video recordings present a portrait of a man who continually strived for artistic perfection, but also for a better world. Songs such as Man in the Mirror, Heal the World, and Earth Song testify to his deep social and environmental commitment. For Michael Jackson, music was not just entertainment, but also responsibility.

The exhibition reveals the life and work of Michael Jackson through a wealth of visual and textual documents. At its heart is the film This Is It, a complete documentary of his rehearsals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for his announced comeback at London's O2 Arena, which was to premiere on July 13, 2009. The film shows the preparations for this major event, which Michael Jackson would not live to see. He died on June 25, 2009, nineteen days earlier.

Supported by the district of Pinneberg and the city of Wedel.

Barlach Art Museum Wedel

Open: Tuesday to Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Admission: €12 per person / reduced rate for pupils, students, and groups of 10 or more €10 per person. Registered school classes €3 per person // School classes from Wedel enjoy free admission.

All photos © 2009 The Michael Jackson Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved