The dangerous philosophies of Michael Jackson : his music, his persona, and his artistic afterlife / Elizabeth Amisu with forewords by Joseph Vogel, PhD, and Karin Merx.

Author
Amisu, Elizabeth [Browse]
Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
Santa Barbara, California : Praeger, [2016]
Description
352 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Mendel Music Library - Stacks ML420.J175 A8 2016 Browse related items Request

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    Summary note
    An essential companion to Michael Jackson's music, films, and books, this work offers 21 original, academic essays on all things Jackson--from film, music, and dance to fashion, culture, and literature. Michael Jackson is regarded as one of the most important musicians of our time. Going well beyond the average celebrity biography, this comprehensive book looks at why that is true, offering insights into every facet of Jackson's art, life, and artistic afterlife. It looks at the methods by which his work was created, presented, received, and appropriated; discusses Jackson's varied personas along with his public and private appearances, albums, conceptual art, short films, and dance; and considers his use of costume, makeup, and reinvention. To help readers understand the phenomenon that was--and is--Michael Jackson, the book focuses on Jackson's historical context through an analysis of his films, songs, and books, examining him as an artist and shedding light on the political and ideological debates that surrounded him. Not shying away from the controversial aspects of Jackson's life and legacy, it also tackles questions of sexuality and racism, gender, and class, comparing Jackson to artists ranging from J.S. Bach to Andy Warhol. Through its examination of Jackson's entire catalog, the work connects all the aspects of his art and life to exemplify--and explain--he performer's unparalleled influence in the 20th and 21st centuries. Features: Takes a sophisticated, academic approach to understanding Jackson's art and life, providing insights into his entire body of work from a perspective never before available outside of music/culture journals ; Concentrates on aspects of Jackson's art that have not previously been researched, such as his use of costumes and clothing, his poetry, and his function as an auteur ; Includes a section focused on Jackson's posthumous work and representation ; Connects with the study of literature, especially early modern English writings and, perhaps surprisingly, the works of William Shakespeare.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references (pages 265-340) and index.
    Contents
    • Machine generated contents note: pt. I Art as Life
    • ch. 1 Introduction: Reading, Writing, and Rewriting Michael Jackson
    • ch. 2 A Critical Survey of Michael Jackson Studies
    • ch. 3 On Michael Jackson's Dancing the Dream
    • ch. 4 Narrative in Michael Jackson's Bad
    • ch. 5 Identity and Identification in Michael Jackson's Dangerous
    • ch. 6 "Liberace Has Gone to War": Undressing Michael Jackson's Fashion
    • ch. 7 "Instrument of Nature": The Voice of Michael Jackson
    • pt. II Life as Art
    • ch. 8 Thoughts on Michael Jackson's Transformations
    • ch. 9 "Throwing Stones to Hide Your Hands": The Mortal Persona of Michael Jackson
    • ch. 10 Recontextualizing Michael Jackson's Blackness
    • ch. 11 HIStory and Michael Jackson's Autobiographical Potency
    • ch. 12 Michael Jackson and Children Revisited
    • ch. 13 "Faith, Hope, and Love": The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson
    • ch. 14 From Crown to Cross: The Poisoned Chalice of Thriller's Success
    • pt. III Art beyond Life
    • ch. 15 Horcruxes: Michael (Split Seven Ways) Jackson
    • ch. 16 "Through the Looking Glass": Notes on Michael Jackson and Andy Warhol
    • ch. 17 Invincible: Michael Jackson's Lost Late Album
    • ch. 18 Michael Jackson's Obituaries and the Shakespearean Tragic Hero
    • ch. 19 Moonwalkers: Michael Jackson's Unique Fandom
    • ch. 20 The Power of the Editor and Michael Jackson's Posthumous Releases
    • ch. 21 Epilogue: Three Dangerous Philosophies Articles
    • 21.1. "The Isle Is Full of Noises": Revisiting the Peter Pan of Pop
    • 21.2. Crack Music: Michael Jackson's Invincible
    • 21.3. "Heard It on the Grapevine": Are We Losing Michael Jackson All Over Again?
    • Appendices
    • A.1. From Object to Subject: A Critical Survey on the Representation of Blackness in the Early Modern Period
    • A.2. "With All His Beauteous Race": High-Status Blacks in The Masque of Blackness and The Merchant of Venice
    • A.2.1. Niger, a High-Status Black Character in The Masque of Blackness
    • A.2.2. Morocco, a High-Status Black Character in The Merchant of Venice
    • A.2.3. Gender and the Depictions of Niger and Morocco
    • A.2.4. Conclusion.
    ISBN
    • 9781440838644 ((hard copy))
    • 144083864X
    • 1440838658 ((e-book))
    • 9781440838651 ((e-book))
    LCCN
    2016020710
    OCLC
    929588812
    Other standard number
    • 99969859224
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