Abstract: May 2016 is all about the academic study of Michael Jackson’s art, cultural impact and critical reception.
Column by Elizabeth Amisu, MA, PGCE, editor of The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies and author of The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson: His Music, His Persona, and His Artistic Afterlife.
REFERENCE AS:
Amisu, Elizabeth. “MJ Studies Today V (15-5-16).” The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies2, no. 3 (2016). Published electronically 15/5/16. http://michaeljacksonstudies.org/mj-studies-today-v-15-05-16/.
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MJ Studies Today V (15-05-16)
By Elizabeth Amisu
May is all about Michael Jackson Studies. That is, the academic study of Michael Jackson’s art, cultural impact and critical reception. Of course, it’s so important to begin this column with a mention of the late departed artist, Prince Rogers Nelson, who also brought so much beauty to the world with his art. A recent article by our dear friend, Dr. Joseph Vogel, ‘Prince and Michael Jackson: The Rivalry and the Revolution‘ really encapsulates the comparisons between Jackson and Prince in a fantastic way and is well-worth a read.
We really do our best to celebrate and respect African-American artists in particular, here at The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies, so we will be honoring both Prince and Michael in a Michael Jackson’s Dream Lives On: An Academic Conversation Exclusive episode on the 28th May. Subscribe via iTunes| Android| Email| RSS.
Michael Jackson is often used as a focal point for the study of other things, such as culture, music, but just as the way Shakespeare, who is having his fourth centenary this year (see MJDLOEpisode 7: MJ 7 Meets Shakespeare 400) is studied specifically for his art, his plays, etc. It’s so interesting when we take the opportunities to study Michael Jackson for his art.
Of course there are the cultural contexts and other contexts but the real magnificent thing about studying Michael specifically is that his art is really culturally revolutionary and it is so multidisciplinary and as a result of this I came up with the concept of my first Michael Jackson Studies course online. The introduction and first lesson are completely FREE to EVERYONE. [N.B. This offer has now expired.]
The course is being presented by Online Arts Education and is called ‘An Introduction to Michael Jackson Studies’ and it is available for a very low price because I really want people to access it freely. I’ve gone further to reduce the price by 50% up to June 4th because I really feel its my life purpose to serve as a teacher and help others access the learning they desire for their personal and artistic growth.
My course is a really good introduction to context for those who don’t have it, and even for those who have it’s a wonderful way of both organizing and focusing your ideas around Michael. This is especially useful if you have in your heart a specific creative or literary project inspired by him and his work, such as a book or an article.
There are other courses out there in the world of Michael Jackson and the one I’m most excited about is the MJU, ‘In the Studio with MJ’ seminars being held around the world by Brad Sundberg. I really hope to go and see Brad when he comes to London this year. Going into seminars like this with a studious eye can be so rewarding and enriching. There are also several other courses in MJ this year you can see on the Events page.
Have a wonderful May,
Eliza x
Elizabeth Amisu, author of The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson: His Music, His Persona, and His Artistic Afterlife, holds an MA in Early Modern English Literature from King’s College London. She is co-founder and editor of The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studiesonline. For The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies she has edited two publications, An Academic Companion to Michael Jackson Studies and Michael Jackson’s Dream Lives On: An Academic Conversation – Michael Jackson & Prince;written several articles and book reviews, most notably ”Throwing Stones To Hide Your Hands’: The Mortal Persona Of Michael Jackson‘, which has been translated into Spanish and Italian; ”The Isle is Full of Noises’: Revisiting the Peter Pan of Pop‘, available in German; ”Crack Music’: Michael Jackson’s Invincible‘, also in Italian; and ”Heard it Through the Grapevine’: Are We Losing Michael Jackson All Over Again?‘, also available in Spanish.
