The Museum of the Moving Image has decided to close the latest LaBeouf, Rönkkö & Turner collaboration. In a statement Friday, the Museum claimed the participatory HEWILLNOTDIVIDE.US installation had become an "ongoing public safety hazard" for staff, visitors, residents, and nearby businesses.
"The installation had become a flashpoint for violence and was disrupted from its original intent," the Museum said in its statement. "While the installation began constructively, it deteriorated markedly after one of the artists was arrested on the site of the installation and ultimately necessitated this action. Over the course of the installation, there have been dozens of threats of violence and numerous arrests, such that police felt compelled to be stationed outside the installation 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
The Museum added that it was "proud" to have been involved with the launch of the installation, which ultimately drew millions of participants. "Until public safety concerns overrode the intent of the installation, HEWILLNOTDIVIDE.US generated an important conversation allowing interaction among people from many backgrounds and with different viewpoints," the statement explained. The artists, in response, have suggested the installation will continue:
Though the majority of the participatory installation included peaceful interpretations of the "He will not divide us" mantra, the performance was reportedly interrupted multiple times by Trump supporters and/or those attempting to spew known white supremacist terminology during the livestream.
LaBeouf, Rönkkö & Turner is comprised of Shia LaBeouf, Nastja Säde Rönkkö, and Luke Turner. Previous collaborations include last year's #ANDINTHEEND at Sydney Opera House, the road-tripping #TAKEMEANYWHERE, and their inaugural project I AM NOT FAMOUS ANYMORE:
Related Stories
Shia LaBeouf Talks New #AndInTheEnd Collaboration With Luke Turner and Nastja Säde Rönkkö
Shia LaBeouf, Rönkkö., and Turner are back with a new collab dubbed #AndInTheEnd.
Shia LaBeouf and His Collaborators Are Hitchhiking Across America for New Project
LaBeouf, Rönkkö & Turner have previously collaborated on #TOUCHMYSOUL, #ALLMYMOVIES, and #FOLLOWMYHEART, and will now be hitchhiking across America.
A Conversation With Shia LaBeouf
We gave him a cigarette, and he gave us one of the most unique interviews ever.
