Regular Boing Boing readers may know that I am fascinated by self-actualization cults, and phenomena such as EST, Landmark, Scientology, heck, Tarvuism—and the like. BB regulars may also recall a Boing Boing Video episode of an art-LARP performance at Machine Project by Brody Condon, in which people dressed up as medieval knights and died in slow motion.
So, interesting news today: "Brody is doing a live action role playing game based on self-actualizing seminars," says Mark Allen of Machine Project. "They just did a round in LA and are going to do another one soon in Santa Jose."
The project is called LEVEL FIVE. Video from of the Los Angeles event, which took place at the Hammer Museum, is above. The website has many more videos, and interesting background on the project.
Snip:
LevelFive is a participatory performance focused on critically exploring self actualization seminars from the 1970's. The LevelFive performance will loosely follow the structure of early Large Group Awareness Training sessions like Erhard Seminars Training. LevelFive is not a actual self-actualization seminar, nor is it affiliated with any actual Large Group Awareness Training company or group. It is a experimental live role-playing event based on self-actualization seminars which originated in the Bay Area in the early 1970's.
The next edition of LevelFive takes place at the San Jose Convention Center on Thursday, Sept 16th from 6-10pm. Admission is $40. If any Boing Boing readers go, I hope you'll tell me about it!
