In spite of a fresh wave of child sexual abuse allegations against deceased U.S. pop legend Michael Jackson, a German museum is sticking with its plans to make him the centre of an upcoming exhibition.

The show is to explore his influence on contemporary visual arts, and is “not a homage to Jackson’s person,” the Bundeskunsthalle in the western city of Bonn said on Wednesday.

The controversy surrounding Jackson’s life and legacy has flared up following the release of a new documentary, `Leaving Neverland’.

“The allegations made (in the film) are shocking, but the legal proceedings are not completed and have run into difficulties since Jackson’s death,’’ the Bundeskunsthalle said.

There is no move to cancel the exhibition at the moment.

The show, set to open March 22, features depictions of Jackson by prominent artists, including David LaChapelle and Yan Pei Ming, and has already been put on in London and Paris.

`Leaving Neverland’ has made headlines in recent days.
In the film, two men – 40-year-old James Safechuck and 36-year-old Wade Robson – tell of how they were abused as children by the singer, who passed away in 2009.

The film has stirred discussion about how fans of Jackson’s music should relate to his music, given the severity of the allegations.

`Jackson: On the Wall’ was developed by the National Portrait Gallery in London and produced in cooperation with the Jackson Estate.

NAN