Shia LaBeouf Art Installation Shut Down

The Museum of the Moving Image has shut down Shia LaBeouf’s anti-Trump installation last week. The project, which the museum said was an “ongoing public safety hazard” was meant to be running for the entirety of Trumps Presidency.

The museum shut it down after LaBeoufs arrest following an altercation with an alleged Nazi, along with threats of violence and police intervention. The project was staged by an art collective called LaBeouf, Ronkko & Turner and was meant to show the togetherness of those standing against Trump values, however it quickly turned anything but supportive and respectful.

Image Credit: Jeanmarie Evelly/DNAinfo

The project consisted of a camera planted on an outside wall of the museum, with the words “He will not divide us” written above it. Those in support of the words and of the art installation were given free reign and soon groups gathered chanting the words along with celebrities like Jaden Smith and Shia LaBeouf, who stayed on for a week. However with a free installation where people could each participate soon came those with views different then the groups gathered, and the trouble quickly began.

“I don’t get how groups of these people can get together and preach togetherness in a time like this and then get violent and threatening when others with a different opinion come and try and express themselves?” one on looker said of the exhibit.

What do you think about the closure of the anti-Trump installation?

Another was also less taken with the purpose of the show, “I can understand the message, but it’s not like we weren’t divided before Trump…” he said.

LaBeouf was at the forefront of the violence in most of the cases, with video from the camera showing him shoving a Hitler supporter. In a statement released by the museum, it said “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.”

According to the 114th Precinct, a number of incidents occurred where the police had to become involved, to the point where they were stationed close to the installation. Some of the threats were bomb threats, people threatening to shoot police officers and more.

There was a number of people who also felt that it was Shia LaBeoufs responsibility as the face of the installation to uphold a sense of stability and respect during the protesting. An actual sense of togetherness (not division) where everyone gets a go, even if they do not agree with the installations purpose. In an art exhibit that was meant to show unification, it seemed as though it showed anything but.

Although the art collaborators on the project, Nastja Säde Rönkkö and Luke Turner, haven’t issued formal comments, the actor behind the trio made his feeling very clear via social media;

Perhaps Mr LaBeouf, you have abandoned the true nature of your cause in turn for anger?

Featured Credit: Jeanmarie Evelly/DNAinfo