Art Top 5: Michael Jackson in American Jesus to James Franco on General Hospital

American Jesus: Hold Me, Carry Me Boldly, by David LaChapelle

Top 5 is art news that deserves an exclamation point! Is it good? Is it bad? You decide…

1. David LaChapelle’s new show called American Jesus at Paul Kasmin Gallery, includes his last photo shoot with his good friend Michael Jackson just before his death. Jackson is represented in different photos as a biblical martyr. David LaChapelle is know for his surreal and often outrageous shots of celebrities. To see more of the show go to complex.com, they have a great slideshow.

2. James Franco has had a reoccurring role on General Hospital. Friday July 23 was his final appearance, where James Franco’s character “Franco” has a show at MOCA. It’s over the top for sure and Franco says it’s all in the name of performance art. Can’t decide? NYmag.com has an 8 page article profiling the actor talking about everything from his sexuality to the several graduate programs he’s enrolled in. You can watch the General Hospital episode on Hula.

Christine Roth, Female Bodybuilders,by Martin Schoeller, Courtesy Hasted Hunt Kraeutler, New York

3. Martin Schoeller’s photographs women body builders for a fascinating look at the contrast of the feminine/masculine body and celebrities where you can see every wrinkle and every pore. You can see a slide show on Flavorwire of more from this series.

4. According to Culturemonster the Tim Burton show that was recently at MOMA will be coming to LACMA May 29 to Oct. 31, 2011. The show was one of the most widely attended in MOMA’s recent history and should be a big success in LA where showbiz rules. ”It’s a major retrospective exhibition featuring artwork tied to his movies as well as original drawings, sculptures and other works created throughout his career.”

5. A drama fit for the movies: Dennis Hopper the artist has his first survey at MOCA, and all of the art critics hate the show. From the LA Times Christopher Knight, and KCRW’s Edward Goldman, to Matt Gleason on the HuffPo. Dennis Hopper died just before the show opened and there has been lots in the news about the fight over his estate between his ex-wife actress Victoria Duffy and his adult children. Hopper’s Venice home is now on the market for $6.2 million. As the HuffPo says “His home served as the center of his artistic output and the property was host to some of the top celebrities as well as important artists like Jasper Johns and Roy Lichtenstein…” I don’t care what the critics say Hopper’s photography is great and I write more about it on Culturemob here.

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