Giant Michael Jackson Statues: Shifting Treasures of the King of Pop

Three decades after their creation to promote his album "HIStory," the fates of the giant Michael Jackson statues vary significantly across different locations, from obscure storage to abandoned venues.

 

In June 1995, ten majestic statues of Michael Jackson swept across the globe, promoting his double album "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I." Among these impressive structures, a 32-foot tall figure floated down the River Thames, capturing public attention. Assembled in Elstree Studios, these fiberglass colossi were designed by artist Stephen Pyle and built through a collaborative effort with various sculptors. While the statues initially celebrated Jackson's music, they now face varying and uncertain destinies three decades later.

One statue famously loomed over a McDonald's in Best, Netherlands, drawing fans until it was removed in 2019 following the airing of the HBO documentary "Leaving Neverland." Restaurant owner Peter Van Gelder had acquired the statue at a charity gala in 1996, hoping to attract visitors. Despite its historic significance, pressure from McDonald's corporate ultimately sealed its fate—now kept hidden in storage, Van Gelder aspires to see it donated to a fan club, but its size presents significant hurdles.

In Austria, another statue found itself in an abandoned nightclub, where owner Franz Josef Zika acquired it in 1998 at a charity auction. As the club closed last year, Zika hopes to sell the statue, but interest from potential buyers remains lukewarm. Meanwhile, a statue at the Luna Park fairground in Switzerland has recently gone unseen, albeit not for sale.

Yet another statue has landed in an abandoned theme park in Johannesburg, South Africa. This repainted figure remains a peculiar sight amid the site's dilapidation. As for Europark Milano, the statue there, restored in 2019, is now on the market, bringing a touch of nostalgia back to the park despite its controversial past.

With the shifting dynamics around Michael Jackson's notoriety, the fate of these statues remains as eclectic as their locations. Although interest in the King of Pop's imagery may be dwindling, these remnants of a bygone era prompt discussions about celebrity, art, and memory.