Faux Kidnappings

Artist Brock Enright is notorious in the US as the man who performs “bespoke executive kidnappings” for $1,500 a time. Every abduction is tailored to the phobias of each “victim” to offer “maximum terror”. Enright’s activities reach beyond acts of abduction, his Video and Adventure Services company to offer tailormade products that shamelessly explore personal perversions.

While kidnapping dominates perceptions of his company, VAS offers a host of “customised reality adventures”, or real-life video games. “Some people are lonely and want to make friends,” says Enright. Some people want to be stalked, others want “to feel like they’re slowly going crazy”. After drawing up legal contracts detailing what they can and can’t get away with, VAS bring these fantasies to life, with the help of actors and locations. His Raising Dead Mothers show is at the Vilma Gold gallery, London E2, until October 16. [The Guardian].
Reminded me of Kidnap. In 1998 Blast Theory launched a lottery in which the winners had the chance to be kidnapped. Ten finalists were chosen at random and put under surveillance. Two winners were then snatched and taken to a secret location where they were held for 48 hours. The whole process was broadcast live onto the internet. Online visitors were able to control the video camera inside the safehouse and communicate live with the kidnappers. During the run up to Kidnap, a 45 second video - the Kidnap Blipvert - was shown at cinemas around the UK. The Blipvert carried a freephone number, allowing people to register their interest. [blogged by Regine on we-make-money-not]