Actor turned ‘Performance artist’ Shia LaBeouf has launched his latest artwork in Liverpool. “#TOUCHMYSOUL” examines the culture and nature of fame and the gap between a celebrity’s public persona and real life. The Hollywood actor has created a dedicated call centre at Fact gallery, where he and his two collaborators are taking calls live. Instead of the usual conversation the viewer is eavesdropping on the 29 year old Hollywood bad boy’s answer, as you only hear one side of the conversation.
Luke Turner one of the collaborators told Artlyst, “Unfortunately this is factually a bit misleading and inaccurate. I don’t know where you got the impression that “Instead of the usual conversation the viewer is eavesdropping on the 29 year old Hollywood bad boy’s answer, as you only hear one side of the conversation.” – because this is wrong, and is not the setup of our performance.
Artlyst said, In a manner reminiscent of Marina Abramović, members of the public wishing to touch LaBeouf’s soul can call the trio on 0151 808 0771. Mr Turner added; we’ve said repeatedly that our practice is precisely counter to the notion of artistic genius that Abramovic’s work leans towards. Ours is geared towards the collective and collaboration, including the audience, and this is overlooked in your article. The show is about bringing people together, and the three of us are listening to the world and inviting them into our soul. smile emoticon.
Others may come to the gallery to see the event unfold in person, or can watch a live stream and see notes the trio are making. Come and see for yourself you have until Sunday!
Touchmysoul.net. Art collective LaBeouf, Rönkkö & Turner is made up of Luke Turner (b. Manchester, UK), Nastja Säde Rönkkö (b. Helsinki, Finland), and Shia LaBeouf (b. Los Angeles, USA). Over the past two years, their projects and performances have included #STARTCREATING and #IAMSORRY (both LA, 2014), Meditation for Narcissists (Auto Italia South East, London, 2014), #METAMARATHON (Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, 2014), #FOLLOWMYHEART (SxSW, Austin, 2015), #INTRODUCTIONS in collaboration with Central Saint Martins BA Fine Art (London, 2015), and most recently #ALLMYMOVIES (New York, 2015).
In the past, Shia LaBeouf has worn a paper bag on his head, while inhabiting a gallery and has invited the public to join him in watching a marathon of his films. Now, for his latest performance art piece, he invites the public to phone in and share his soul, what ever that means…Find out!
FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) is one of the UK’s leading media arts centre, based in Liverpool. Offering a unique programme of exhibitions, film and participant-led art projects, we use the power of creative technology to inspire and enrich lives.
They will be at their desks between 11:00 and 18:00 GMT from Thursday to Sunday. Watch Live Here