Just when you think the children of Hollywood superstars couldn't get any more eccentric
and out there, Willow Smith just one upped them all.
She is promoting her new album by living in a box for 24 hours at a museum where visitors
can come watch.
What’s up?
It’s Sussan Mourad here with Clevver News and while Willow Smith might be 19 years old
now, many of us remember her from her hit song “Whip My Hair” that she released
when she was only 10.
But after that era, she essentially withdrew from the pop music world in order to become
a much more alternative artist.
And that is coming to a head tonight starting at 9 PM when Willow and her creative collaborator
and possible boyfriend, Tyler Cole, TRAP THEMSELVES inside of a box for 24 hours!,
The quote-un-quote art installment will kick off a 24-hour performance piece at the Museum
of Contemporary Art’s Geffen Contemporary in Los Angeles.
Willow has been promoting the experience on her Instagram, just yesterday she shared this
flyer and wrote quote, “A FREE <24hr experience> by @theanxiety X #geffencontemporary”
The performance will involve Willow and Tyler visibly cycling through eight separate stages
of anxiety, which Willow told the LA Times are “paranoia, rage, sadness, numbness,
euphoria, strong interest, compassion, and acceptance.”
And before we get further into this story, I just wanted to mention that if you or someone
you know is struggling with anxiety or stress, there are numerous resources that can help
you, we’ve linked some down in the description section.
Alright, Willow and Tyler will be going through these eight stages of anxiety while visitors
can watch the pair through a glass panel on one side of the box.
The other three panels of the box will contain canvas’, which Willow and Tyler will be
painting and writing affirmations on.
Each stage will last for three hours, but audience members will only be permitted to
observe the installation for a 15 minute period.
Also, I know what you’re thinking, don’t worry there will be breaks for the bathroom,
sleeping, and eating.
I know I was worried about the logistics there, but it looks like we’re all good on that
front.
And according to Willow and Tyler, the idea for the performance piece came to them while
they were working on a joint album called The Anxiety, which will be released after
the 24 hour performance isolation is over.
Willow told the LA Times that they wanted to personify the experience of what anxiety
can be.
She said quote, “We understand this is a very sensitive subject.
And we don’t want to be like, ‘Our experience is the experience.’
This is just us expressing our personal experience with this.”
Willow also shared her personal experience with anxiety, and talked about how climate
change, along with other recent headlines, have been a big contributor to her anxiety.
She said quote, “We’re on this planet and anything could happen, like the thing
that just happened with Kobe Bryant?
That was really a knife in the heart.
Every moment is precious.
And I think everyone has a fear of just not knowing what’s going to happen in the future,
not knowing if you’re on the right path, not knowing if you’re making the right choices.”
Also according to Willow, she and Tyler do not intend to speak at all during the performance,
but she did say that they quote "might grunt or scream because it’s going to be very
primal."
And the entire experience is intended to raise awareness so after viewing the exhibit, visitors
will exit through a room that contains self-help books and donation opportunities.
Willow said that quote, “The first thing we’re going to be writing on our title wall
is something along the lines of: ‘The acceptance of one’s fears is the first step toward
understanding.’
So then you know this is on something real.
This is for a real cause.”
And in case you’re wondering more about who Tyler is who will be working with Willow
on this project, he met Willow through a mutual friend around five years ago.
The two actually bonded over their anxiety and started to open up to each other back
when they first met.
This sort of deep emotional connection brought the friends closer, and before long, they
were being snapped by the paparazzi mid-kiss.
But both Willow and Tyler are hesitant to characterize their relationship as a romance.
Willow, who doesn’t believe she’ll ever get married, spoke to the LA Times about their
relationship and said quote, “We are the best of friends.
like to think about it in terms of friendship, because I think that a lot of attachment and
control issues come in when you start down that romantic road.”
And regardless of what’s going on between Willow and Tyler romantically, we’re just
very interested to see what this exhibit will be like.
And fans agree, they are taking to Twitter to share their mixed feelings on this performance
idea.
One person said quote, “Somebody please live Tweet because I’m in transit tomorrow.”
Another wrote quote, “I think Willow Smith is so cool for doing her part to raise awareness
for anxiety!
Kudos to her”
And another wrote quote, “Willow Smith is going to be living in a box for 24 hours and
I was shocked when I found out it had nothing to do with protecting herself from the Coronavirus”
Welp, either way Willow and Tyler are going into the box tonight and we will be keeping
an eye on social media to see who’s there and honestly, if I have time tonight I may
go check this out.
It is free after all!
I’m curious to know what you guys think about this art installment concept.
Would you lock yourself in a glass box for 24 hours to raise awareness for a cause you’re
passionate about?
Do you think Willow and Tyler are brave for taking this art project to the streets?!
Let me know down in the comments below.
And click right over here for another video on other celebs who struggle with anxiety.
Just remember you’re not alone!
And as always, make sure you subscribe and hit that bell so you never miss another entertainment
news update.
Thanks so much for watching, I’m Sussan Mourad and I’ll catch you next time.