Pop culture treasures on display in Beijing

By Pang Li
0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, September 9, 2011
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Chinese fans of the world's pop culture icons can have a close look at over 100 of their belongings in an unprecedented exhibition that opened Thursday at the New World Department Store in east Beijing.

The exhibits, from collections of U.S.-based Julien's Auctions and Macao's Ponte 16 resort, include Marilyn Monroe's dress, Madonna's stage costume, Princess Diana's pearl necklace, Elvis Presley's exquisite night gown, Bruce Lee's black gi and John Lennon's hand-written letter.

A rhinestone-covered glove that singer Michael Jackson wore is on display at the New World Department Store in Beijing Sept. 8, 2011.

A rhinestone-covered glove that singer Michael Jackson wore is on display at the New World Department Store in Beijing Sept. 8, 2011. [Pang Li/China.org.cn] 

The real highlights, however, are over 30 items either owned or signed by the late King of Pop Michael Jackson. The centerpiece of these artifacts is a glittery rhinestone-covered white glove that the singer wore at the Motown 25 television special in 1983 where he introduced the mesmerizing moonwalk dance move to the world. The glove was bought by Ponte 16 for US$350,000 in New York in 2009.

"The collection of items that we have assembled together with Ponte 16 represents some of the most legendary artists of our time," Darren Julien, president and CEO of Julien's Auctions, said, adding the items all "come directly from the studios and the celebrities themselves."

"Not only have these items been part of pop culture history, but Julien's Auctions and Ponte 16 are making history again by bringing these items to the Chinese people [from the mainland] for the first time," he said.

According to Hoffman Ma, deputy CEO of Ponte 16, most of the items will go under hammer after touring China's mainland.

The exhibits will stay in Beijing until Sunday. Then, they will be brought to Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang and Harbin before returning to Macao for display and auction in mid-October.

A red jacket worn by singer Michael Jackson is on display at the New World Department Store in Beijing Sept. 8, 2011.

A red jacket worn by singer Michael Jackson is on display at the New World Department Store in Beijing Sept. 8, 2011. [Pang Li/China.org.cn]

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