In the summer of 1995, a striking 32ft (10m) statue of Michael Jackson emerged on the River Thames in London, just one of ten monumental figures commissioned to promote his album "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I." Created at Elstree Studios, these statues followed Jackson during his worldwide concert tour. Today, three decades later, despite Jackson's ongoing controversies, some effigies continue to stand, while the fate of others remains uncertain.
The statues were crafted by Hertfordshire-based artist Stephen Pyle who, alongside a team, turned polystyrene into fibreglass figures. "Making 10 statues in four months was quite the challenge," Pyle remarked about the process that redefined the late star into these striking structures.
Among the surviving statues is one that spent decades at a McDonald's in the Netherlands, becoming a beloved shrine for fans. However, it was taken down following the airing of HBO's 2019 documentary "Leaving Neverland," which renewed allegations against Jackson. Restaurant owner Peter Van Gelder still hopes to donate it to a fan club but faces challenges securing a building permit.
In Austria, another statue found its way to the now-defunct nightclub Baby'O, where it was a quirky attraction until the club's closure. The owner, Franz Josef Zika, wishes to sell it as part of plans for a new cafe or restaurant at the site but has met obstacles in finding a buyer.
A reimagined statue still stands at Luna Park in Lausanne, Switzerland, although it hasn't been displayed recently. Meanwhile, in South Africa, a repainted statue remains visible in a now-abandoned theme park, Santarama Miniland.
Lastly, an Italian amusement park, Europark Idroscalo Milano, temporarily revered its Jackson statue after restoration in 2019 but has since put it up for sale again. The mixed fates of these statues illustrate the evolving legacy of Michael Jackson's influence around the globe, shining a spotlight on both tributes and controversy.
