‘MADONNA AND CHILD’ JACKSON SCULPTURE IN EAST LONDON CAUSES ALARM AND DISTRESS, AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHY WE CAN GET IT REMOVED (LEGALLY)
By now, most Jackson fans will be fully aware of the distasteful and sacrilegious piece of ‘artwork’ constructed by artist Maria von Kohler which is currently hanging out of the window of The Premises Recording Studio on Hackney Road in East London. This controversial piece captures a brief few seconds of Michael Jackson’s life, reducing his life and legacy to a mere moment in time for which he was ridiculed and condemned. The intent of this piece is thereby clearly obvious. Kohler’s piece focuses on an incident which took place in Berlin in 2002, when the star got caught up in the excitement of the moment, and lifted up his youngest child at one of the hotel’s windows in order to show excited fans below. Despite having a firm grip on the child, the media misleadingly reported that the star ‘dangled’ the baby out of the window, and this caused much controversy for which Jackson later apologised, several times, admitting that it was a mistake. The media furore that ensued meant that Jackson’s mistake was on public record and therefore available for all to exploit, forever.
Kohler, instead of using her art to focus on the wealth of good and positive deeds Jackson contributed to in his lifetime, has purposely created a controversial piece in order to attract attention. It is disconcerting to say the least, that a recording studio would have such a piece displayed so publicly, if at all. Controversial works can sometimes be seen in art galleries, but for a studio whose clients will inevitably include some who have been inspired and influenced by the innovative and multi talented Jackson, it is absurd, and it is surely garnering publicity of the worst kind. Notwithstanding this, the recording studios, having allowed this piece to hang out of its window and into the public realm, are now thoroughly enjoying the controversy. On the company’s Twitter site, they revel in the controversy, mocking and laughing at fans who naturally feel horrified to see someone they admire and respect – not to mention someone’s brother, father, and son – once again mocked and vilified in this way, particularly now that he has no voice and thus no chance to respond.
Of course, it is not just Jackson fans who feel shocked by this latest attack on Jackson’s character and legacy, but also Christians, and in particular, Catholics. Kohler’s piece has been controversially titled ‘Madonna and Child’ thus deliberately inciting those who deem Christ’s mother as holy and hold her in high regard. By suggesting that Jackson is in some way comparable to the holy figure of Christ’s mother – and by default, his son being akin to a Christ figure? – Kohler is treading on dangerous ground indeed. It is no surprise that she took the safer and increasingly tiresome option of attacking the Christian faith as opposed to giving the piece a title which might incite members of any other religion. The Premises complain that they have received ‘scary’ and disturbing threats, including threats of arson and vandalism. It is likely that had the artist dared to incorporate ‘Allah’ into the title instead of ‘Madonna’, such threats might well have culminated in serious consequences. But it is often the case that artists who seek to be controversial or clever are actually cowards who simply focus on what they consider an easy target.
So, what can those who feel upset do about this sculpture? Firstly, the attitude of the studio has been made clear on their Twitter account. They are revelling in the controversy and in fact, encouraging it by posting fans comments and then ridiculing them. The Premises are clearly not going to back down. No amount of posts on their page or petitions to have the piece ‘removed immediately’ is going to be effective. We need to take proper action, and as soon as possible, before this piece is moved, on 1st May, to Los Angeles for its next round of controversy. Jackson has often been a free-for-all target, but next time, the target could be
your son, brother or father. If we allow this and do not act now, then it opens the floodgates to similar works being paraded on public streets in the future.
THE IMPORTANT FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The Public Order Act 1986
In the UK, we have an effective Act: The Public Order Act 1986. The Public Order Act 1986 creates offences commonly used by United Kingdom police to deal with public disorder and violence.
Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986, which was inserted by section 154 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, states:
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if, with intent to cause a person harassment, alarm or distress, he:
(a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting, thereby causing that or another person harassment, alarm or distress.
(2) An offence under this section may be committed in a public or a private place, except that no offence is committed where the words or behaviour are used, or the writing, sign or other visible representation is displayed, by a person inside a dwelling and the person who is harassed, alarmed or distressed is also inside that or another dwelling.
(3) It is a defence for the accused to prove:
(a) that he was inside a dwelling and had no reason to believe that the words or behaviour used, or the writing, sign or other visible representation displayed, would be heard or seen by a person outside that or any other dwelling, or
(b) that his conduct was reasonable”
As you can see, we have such a good case. Just a brief glance at the comments being posted on the studio’s website and the reaction Kohler’s piece has provoked prove without a doubt that many people consider it abusive and insulting and it cannot be disputed that it has caused much alarm and distress. The fact that this piece is hanging out onto a public street gives us more reason to complain under the Act, since this is not something hidden inside a building and neither is it something that is a pay-to-view product. Anyone passing by the recording studio will be confronted by this alarming piece, whether they choose to be or otherwise.
HOW TO COMPLAIN
In each case, tell the police that you want to report an offence under the Public Order Act 1986 under Section 4A, 1(b) and 2. Try to come across as a responsible and concerned citizen rather than as an angry fan. This will ensure that your complaint is treated in a fair and serious manner. They will ask for the location of the crime, which is:
The Premises
209 Hackney Road London E2 8JL
Email Hackney Police Station:
hackneypolice@met.police.uk
Call the Metropolitan Police on 0300 123 1212 (they will take your details and give you a reference number)
Visit the station at:
2 Lower Clapton Road
Hackney
London
E5 0PA
An additional thought: Hate crime
Here in the UK, we also have laws against racist or religious hate crime. Hate crimes and incidents are any crime or incident which is targeted at a victim because of the offender’s hostility or prejudice against an identifiable group of people, and they are taken very seriously.
Any incident or crime which is perceived to be motivated because of a person’s religion will be recorded as such. Hate crimes can be committed against a person or property.
A religious hate crime is:
“Any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person’s religion or perceived religion”
This piece has been named ‘Madonna and Child’ clearly to create alarm, upset, distress and controversy. If you are a Christian who feels strongly that the naming of this piece has been motivated by prejudice against your faith, then you have a right to report it as a hate crime. You can find the link to make a report here:
https://secure.met.police.uk/hatecrime_national/index.php?rid=2903
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