Laurie Anderson

Laurie Anderson, avant-garde, experimental music composer, performance artist 00163

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The Kitchen Benefit, Honoring Laurie Anderson

Laurie Anderson Homeland 3

Laurie Anderson amidst the Kronos Quartet in Chicago after performing LANDFALL 2015-03-17 20.53.41 (16851029595)

Laurie Anderson is an American avant-garde artist, composer, musician, and film director whose work spans performance art, pop music, and multimedia projects. Initially trained as a violinist and sculptor, Anderson pursued a variety of performance art projects in the 1970s, focusing particularly on language, technology, and visual imagery. She became widely known outside the art world in 1981 with the single "O Superman," which reached number two on the UK pop charts. Anderson's work is a critique of technology and a commentary on the way it mediates human relationships. Her art utilizes a variety of media, including technology, to create immersive and thought-provoking experiences.

Early Life and Education

Laurie Anderson was born on June 5, 1947, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She studied at Mills College in California and later earned a B.A. in art history from Barnard College in 1969 and an M.F.A. in sculpture from Columbia University in 1972. Anderson's early work in the art world was centered around sculpture, but she soon moved into performance art, influenced by her interest in storytelling and music.

Career

Anderson's career took a significant turn with the release of "O Superman" in 1981, a single from her larger project United States Live. The song's success brought her attention from a wider audience, leading to her signing with Warner Bros. Records. Over the years, Anderson has released several albums, including Big Science (1982), Mister Heartbreak (1984), and Homeland (2010), among others.

In addition to her recording career, Anderson has created a number of multimedia projects and works of art, including installations, films, and virtual reality experiences. Notable works include her multimedia concert Home of the Brave (1986), and the feature film Heart of a Dog (2015), which was shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Anderson has also collaborated with numerous artists and musicians, including her husband, the late Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, and the Kronos Quartet. Her work often explores themes of politics, culture, and technology's impact on human interaction.

Artistic Style and Themes

Anderson's work is characterized by its innovative use of technology, including electronic music, digital media, and various forms of new media art. She often uses her voice, altered through electronic modulation, to create a distinctive sound that has become a hallmark of her performances. Anderson's art is deeply concerned with storytelling, using narratives to explore complex social and personal themes.

Legacy

Laurie Anderson's influence extends beyond the realm of performance art into pop culture and the broader art world. She has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize for her outstanding contribution to the arts. Anderson's work has been exhibited at major institutions around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Barbican Centre in London.

Selected Discography

• Big Science (1982)
• Mister Heartbreak (1984)
• Strange Angels (1989)
• Bright Red (1994)
• Homeland (2010)

Selected Filmography

• Home of the Brave (1986)
• Heart of a Dog (2015)

See Also

• Performance Art
• Multimedia Art
• Electronic Music
• Avant-Garde Music