Keep Moving: Michael Jackson’s Video Art at Lincoln Center Film Society
Last night I went to a screening of Keep Moving: Michael Jackson’s Video Art at Lincoln Center Film Society. I should tell you up front that although I appreciate Michael’s music and videos, and I definitely wore out my cassette tape of Thriller when I was 10, I am not the biggest Michael Jackson fan on the planet. Still, the event was certainly unique, and I LOVE music videos so I thought it would be interesting.
My husband is a member of the Young Friends of Film at Lincoln Center. This is a program that allows people age 21-40 to buy membership for a year. Your membership gets you into six films throughout the year as well as special events and a subscription to Film Comment magazine. He scored us these tickets at a discount price because of his membership. The crowd was not made up of all young people, in fact I was surprised by the diversity in age but I think that the Lincoln Center Film Society generally appeals to an older crowd because of the many foreign and unique movies it screens.
Armund White, a critic and author of a book about Michael, emceed the evening. Talking between each video aired about Michael’s visions. Mr. White had also chosen several clips from other movies that demonstrated either where Michael had gotten his ideas for his videos from (like how West Side Story led to the video Beat It) or how Michael’s work had influenced other people (like the Thriller scene in 13 Going on 30). While I generally did not find Mr. White incredibly articulate, the clips he chose to illustrate his points were interesting. It was a really unique way to spend a Sunday night and I find myself wanting to see other artist’s music videos on the big screen too. I can only imagine what a critic would have to say about Madonna’s or Britney Spears’ videos!
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GoDoNyc,
Curious, can you give an example of how you “did not find Mr. White incredibly articulate”? I also attended the show on Sunday night and found his comments while succinct quite intriguing and frankly, a precursor to ideas he elaborates on in his new book, “KEEP MOVING: The Michael Jackson Chronicles”.
FYI, for someone who “loves” music videos and whose husband is a member of Young Friends of Film at Lincoln Center, I find it odd that you seem…unfamiliar with Armond White’s music video work. He’s made his music video presentations at The Walter Reade Theater @ Lincoln Center since 1993 and has also consistently written about the art of music video over the years.
To your point about Madonna and Britney Spears, In his book, “The Resistance: Ten Years of Pop Culture That Shook The World” Armond White writes about the phenomenal achievement of the Madonna music video “Like A Prayer”.
In a past music video presentations at Lincoln Center, he’s presented and talked about Britney Spears music videos like “Toxic”.
Best,
WJ
I felt that Mr. White made bold statements such as the one about Morrissey and Michael Jackson being artists who made the most important statements about androgyny without supporting this. While he did show a Morrissey music video, I didn’t think it clearly demonstrated his point and I think there may be other artists who could have been included. Perhaps it was the setting and time constraints, but I felt that Mr. White made a couple other blanket statements like this without providing support for them. As a side note, I was also very unimpressed with the many typos in the programs the Film Center handed out and perhaps did not give Mr. White’s work as much attention as I should have because of the mistakes that may or may not have been his fault.
Thanks for your comment, this was my first experience with Mr. White and I was happy to see the hand picked videos and some of their inspiration on the big screen. I did appreciate the work that was put into the event.
godoNYC,
Gotcha. Yes, there were a few statements made by Armond WHite that could have been elaborated on but the show WAS long (it’s the longest presentation of his that I’ve ever attended) and I chalked it up to time constraints as you’ve already noted.
Also, I also know that Armond White elaborates on the ideas he presented in his new book on Michael Jackson so I was a little more forgiving. I certainly understand if others aren’t, though. Especially those unfamiliar with Armond White’s music video presentations.
Yes, the program that Lincoln Center provided for the show with all the typos WAS embarrasing. I’m not sure who’s responsible for that, but YIKES! Who signed off on THAT??!?!?!?