Delusion: Laurie Anderson

The first time I ever heard Laurie Anderson was the song “O Superman” at a friend’s house in Wichita, Kansas. My friend had just come back from London with a bunch of 45’s of obscure music.  I loved it, I laughed out loud (literally), I ran out and bought the cassette, Big Science. I played it non-stop in the car until it went the way of all cassettes. Then I saved the box – just to remember. Since then I’ve bought almost all of her albums and she never disappoints.  When I began to study art she popped up again this time as a performance artist.

Initially trained as a sculptor, Anderson began working as a performance artist in the late 60's. Even the early work was related to music: her first piece in 1969  was a symphony created out of vehicle horns; and her second Duets on Ice (70's) she froze ice skates into a block of ice and played violin on street corners until the ice melted. She eventually signed with Warner Bros. and wound up in my living room.

Twice now I have had the pleasure of watching her perform and she is mesmerizing. Oftentimes she is the only person on a giant stage and she fills it with her presence. Part of it is her ability to tell a story, and part of it is the way that she uses images on large screens and unusual electronic devises. She has invented a skull drum, tape-bow violin, body suit with midi triggers, and a 6 foot talking stick. She has also used a voice modulator for many years to modify her voice into a large cast of characters.

Recently, she was commissioned by the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad to create a  multi-media production entitled, Delusion, which opened at the Vancouver Playhouse on Wednesday, February 17. Alexander Varty of Straight.com describes it as:

"the Buddhist artist’s Diamond Sutra: a shining, heartfelt meditation on the ephemeral pleasures and lasting pains of this existence."

I really want to see it, but so far there are no dates scheduled for summer or anywhere near me.... but that could change.

For more info about Laurie Anderson check out her website, Wiki page, and You Tube.

Enjoy!