In response to her 2022 Venice Biennale presentation, Angela Su produced an installation of more than 400 items on loan from the archives of Lauren O at the Esalen Institute in California. However, very little is known about this enigmatic figure who was arguably involved in a 1967 plan to levitate the Pentagon in protest of the Vietnam War. Who is Lauren O? How is this obscure levitator from 1960s America relevant to the world that we live in today?

Su, together with Dr Yeewan Koon, who has conducted extensive research on Lauren O, will take a deep dive into the counterculture of the 1960s in the US. Their conversation will cover the confluence of social movements, psychedelics, supernatural and popularisation of technology that gave rise to a fascinating era of change and infinite possibilities. Through Lauren O’s cosmological views and her vision of the future, one could also make sense of Su’s own practice, in particular, her fascination with worldbuilding.

This talk will be conducted in English. Simultaneous interpretation in Cantonese and Mandarin will be available. Click on ‘Register’ to sign up for free. Participants can access General Admission exhibitions (excluding Special Exhibition) after the event. Please retain a copy of your registration to facilitate your entry to the galleries.

This talk is co-organised by M+ and Hong Kong Arts Development Council.

Established in 1995, HKADC is a statutory body set up by the Hong Kong Government. Its major roles include grant allocation, policy and planning, advocacy, promotion and development, and special projects. HKADC supports and promotes the development of ten major art forms in literary arts, performing arts, visual arts as well as film and media arts. It aims to foster a thriving arts environment by facilitating community-wide participation in the arts and art education, encouraging criticism, raising arts administration standards, and contributing on policy research.