Counter-Currents
1,960 words 
Laurie Anderson
Big Science
Warner Brothers, 1982
In the Seventies, Laurie Anderson made a modest name for herself in the “performance art” scene.
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10 comments
I like her soothing voice; what little I’ve heard has a Peggy Lee (speaking) a la “Is That All There Is?” quality.
Minimalism has no poker-face: when it’s just a talentless cop-out it can’t conceal that; on the other hand, when a talent strives through minimalism to “distill” a form, it can be a means to stark beauty.
The impression I get is that she’s in the latter category, plumbing the depths of what she’s got and what she is, (“staying in her lane,” as the children say).
I once asked a classical violinist if there are great concertos that are easy to play. He said yes, technically speaking, Mozart’s concertos and Vivaldi’s are not that hard. But on the other hand, their simplicity makes it impossible to hide any impurities of tone. You are out there exposed. I think that is analogous to minimalism. If you are a poseur, you have nowhere to hide.
Interesting point. Virtuosity has many merits by definition. However, a true virtuoso’s complete development is only seen in how he renders what is simple. For in what is simple space is left to render what is sublime.
This is often true in listening to someone play a slow movement. Or, when listening to a singer’s intonation, tone and emotional depth in “non-virtuoso” passages versus when belting out the, “hard parts.” Chops can expose someone with inferior technique. However, chops can hide inferior artistry. Very insightful comment and conversation.
This reminded me of a video I saw the other day on YouTube: something like “how people think professional musicians practice (the guy just blows through arpeggios up and down the piano) vs. realty (plays two notes, “ah! too loud!” plays two notes again, “ah! too soft!”).
A concept comes from the mind. It also implies presentation of the undeveloped. ‘This is still at the conceptual stage’, is common for a creator to say. This implies that a lot of craftsmanship is required to turn that initial 2% into as close to 100% as one can. In other words, Concept Art and Concept Art is a confession that this person hasn’t done the work. I would say also that art is born from something in the human soul, so concept art likely bypasses that act of creation as well.
Greg, someone mentioned Wyatt Stagg the other day. Speaking of hacks, he has good videos on Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan and his movie reviews/interpretations are quite interesting. I second that poster’s recommendation. His work is on YT, Odyssey … …
With conceptual art, it is the thought that counts.
I started watching Staggs videos—he’s very monotone—and I agree with his take on Once Upon a Time in the West. That’s the vibe I took from it, and I recall Trevor lynch disagreed, but I thought it was specifically more kabbalistic, pitting the swarthy Eastern European Bronson against the blue eyed “aryan” antagonist. The attack on the homesteaders reminds one of a pogrom. Heh, I wonder if these people would rather fall into the hands of German Mennonite settlers or the Comanche? But they just don’t think that way.
Thank you for reminding me of this album. I reminded me of a more benign version of Philip Glass’ Einstein on The Beach with it’s combination of minimalism and spoken word.
Glad you enjoyed this.
The Big Science album cover immediately caught my eye. : ) I’m always amazed at how prolific & thoughtful a writer you are, on many different topics.
I’m moving a bunch of books right now, & when I spied the Artists on the Right which you edited, an idea crossed my mind– feel free to use it/share it, if you like:
There’s a book called A Year in Art: A Painting a Day. My copy has Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring on its front cover. In this small hardback book (~7″ x 9″) format , I think it would be so great to offer the public something similar, but done by nationalist artists through the ages: a collection of 365 high quality images of nice paintings, or sculptures, and a brief quote for each day.
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