Performance artist & musician Laurie Anderson talks to Jeff Hemmings about capitalism, art & science, dreams, being a pessimist, & performing ‘O Superman’ for the last time on 9/11

One of America’s most renowned and daring creative pioneers, Laurie Anderson is primarily known for her multimedia presentations, casting herself in roles as varied as visual artist, composer, poet, photographer, filmmaker, electronics whiz, vocalist and instrumentalist.
But it was the hugely surprising hit single ‘O Superman’ (1981) that propelled Anderson beyond the confines of the niche and elite New York art scene into an international artist of stature. And, arguably, all thanks to BBC Radio Clyde who took the decision to play her song…
“I did perform ‘O Superman’ on 9 September 2001,” says Laurie from her base in New York.
“But not after that.” Read the rest of this article »