Michael Alig & the “Art” of Media Manipulation

Michael Alig’s reentry into New York City society has been more seamless than perhaps even he could have imagined. Since being released from prison for the murder of his drug dealer, Angel Melendez, Alig has made himself known via the desire to start a clothing line and, now, an art exhibition featuring his creative output whilst in prison.

While none of his art was necessarily “bad,” its derivative Warholian style certainly isn’t worth anything that would fetch $5,800 (the highest priced item at the show). And though Alig claims, “Only art lets me live with it”–it being the murder of a man–there’s something all too rehearsed about the sound of that.

In addition to his foray into the art world (which has embraced rather than kicked him out on his arse), a two hour and fifteen minute documentary entitled Glory Daze: The Life and Times of Michael Alig will be released to further memorialize his contribution to club culture. So efficient has the media blitzkrieg been in the wake of his release that one would daresay prison was the best thing that could have happened to Alig’s career.