These days, Shia LaBeouf is as notoriously known for his bizarre projects as he is for being a successful actor.
The Even Stevens star’s latest stunt involves occupying a lift in Oxford for 24 hours. He will be joined by two other performers, art collaborators Nastja Säde Rönkkö and Luke Turner.
Shia is in Oxford as he will be speaking at the Oxford Union later this evening – he will only be excused from the lift for his talk and to take toilet breaks. Shia was invited to speak by the president of the union after the actor set up his own call centre in Liverpool last year, which members of the public could phone to ask him questions.
Shia said: “Stuart the president said ‘Do you want to stand in the same spot as Malcolm X?’ Who […] am I to argue with that?”. The actor hopes to get to know and connect to people.
The union explained, “Visitors will be able to join LaBeouf, Rönkkö and Turner inside the elevator during this time, and are invited to address the artists, the debating chamber, and the internet, so that their collective voices may form an extended, expansive and egalitarian Oxford Union address.”
Over the years, Shia has taken part in numerous live art installations. It all started in 2014 when he attended a premiere with a paper bag on his head, bearing the words “I am not famous any more”. He then sat in a room in a Los Angeles art gallery, where members of the public could come to interact with him.
He also recently sat in a cinema for three days to watch all 29 films he’s starred in – back to back! Members of the public were allowed to sit and watch alongside him.
If you’re near Oxford and want to share a lift journey with Shia, he will be in the lift until 9am Saturday morning.
The event is called #ELEVATE and is currently being streamed live on YouTube.
What do you think of Shia’s latest exhibition? Share your thoughts @CelebMix.