French sculptor creates Michael Jackson’s image in front of Pompidou Center

French artist sculpts Jackson in outdoor tribute

PARIS — French artist Jean-Baptiste Seckler is sculpting a public tribute to the late Michael Jackson in front of Paris’ Pompidou Center.

Seckler says he wanted to sculpt outdoors to break “the silence and the concentration” required by sculpting or painting. He says a public place is appropriate for a sculture of the pop star because Jackson’s death “affected everyone, whether you like him or not.”

Seckler was working Tuesday on the likeness. He began the project July 25, four weeks after Jackson’s death.

He says in an interview with Associated Press Television News that painters are often seen on the streets of Paris but rarely sculptors.