The Eternal Moonwalk
With his death turning out to be as bizarre and provocative as his extraordinary life, Michael Jackson has dominated the global press once more with the staggering footage of his memorial service (Jermaine Jackson singing Smile = heart-rending. Coffin on the stage = a bit uncomfortable, to be honest). Whether you think he should be celebrated, castigated or just left alone, there’s no denying that this was a man whose musical achievements and untimely death have sent shockwaves around the whole world.
Amidst the inevitable furore that comes with the passing of a musical icon, we were curious to see Studio Brussel’s tribute to the King of Pop – the Eternal Moonwalk. A website piecing together video footage of moonwalks from around the world, this digital memorial remembers MJ through his signature move, in a virtual moonwalk that never ends:
http://www.eternalmoonwalk.com/
Like Jacko’s life, there are high and lows. Search for Vincent Gaillard and Alex McGhee and you’ll find some pretty good moves. Look for the Indeval team (apparently from Mexico City) however, and you’ll find a line of people at work wheeling backwards in their office chairs (more of a ‘moonwheel’, but quite fun anyway). Other participants include a Gene Simmons doll, a pint of beer and a budgerigar.
Once again, in extraordinary times, people from all backgrounds come together in the digital world. Some of these moonwalkers are clearly dedicated MJ fans; others are simply enjoying his memory and having fun. But all have found the place online to pay their (digital) respects.