Jaclyn Conley Canada, b. 1979
MJ and The Gipper, 2020
oil on panel with collage
60.96 x 60.96 cm
24 x 24 in
24 x 24 in
Michael Jackson’s 1984 visit to the Reagan White House. I’m interested in the messaging of the White House celebrity visits in which pop culture and political representations of the country,...
Michael Jackson’s 1984 visit to the Reagan White House.
I’m interested in the messaging of the White House celebrity visits in which pop culture and
political representations of the country, fame and power, are visually aligned. Michael
Jackson’s military-inspired uniform and his designation as the King of Pop becomes interesting
in this context. From Elvis, Mr. T, Johnny Cash and Sammy Davis Jr., there are numerous
anecdotes that have come to surround these visits as well as parallels to contemporary
interactions between politicians and celebrity figures.
I’m interested in the messaging of the White House celebrity visits in which pop culture and
political representations of the country, fame and power, are visually aligned. Michael
Jackson’s military-inspired uniform and his designation as the King of Pop becomes interesting
in this context. From Elvis, Mr. T, Johnny Cash and Sammy Davis Jr., there are numerous
anecdotes that have come to surround these visits as well as parallels to contemporary
interactions between politicians and celebrity figures.