Laurie Anderson Accepts Art Commission From NASA

[Khephra]

Moon and Stars Align for Performance Artist
Laurie Anderson Accepts Art Commission From NASA
By Anne Hull
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 30, 2004; Page A19


Performance artist Laurie Anderson thought the phone call was a prank.

How would you like to be NASA's artist-in-residence?

The offer was legit: The space agency was bestowing a $20,000 commission on the 57-year-old Anderson to produce a piece of work completely at her creative freedom.

NASA began its art program in 1963 but never before had it tapped a resident artist, nor had it pushed the aesthetic envelope so boldly by choosing a performer whose large-scale theatrical productions blended "Star Trek" and Melville. Anderson is no Faith Hill.

more...............

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15916-2004Jun29.html

[MikeG]

1. I still play "O Superman" from time to time.

[XNASA]

2. I just e-mailed a friend in Houston....

She works for the Public Affairs Office at JSC.

She knew nothing about this. I'm sure that NASA-HQ in DC was driving this, but still find it odd..

Anyway....GREAT!!!!

Can't wait to see what Laurie comes up with..

[Terran]

3. This is cool, she deserves it.

And Laurie is 57?? Jeez, we're gettin' old. It's been 25 years since I first heard her work. I still love her.

[Khephra]

4. I've been into her music for about 18 years

Last time she was in town, I was lucky enough to get front row seats. I did miss out on her Moby Dick work though, which I'll always regret.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. sorry you missed Moby Dick. It was awesome!

It is available on CD. But they really need to make it available on DVD.

It was incredible.

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. I can't read the article, but...

but I remember reading an interview with laurie a couple years ago and her talking about the phone call from NASA. Did it take them a couple years to finalize the thing? wow.

[soothsayer]

7. Hey, mebbe hubby Lou Reed will get a music sponsorship

NASA? How bizarre, yet cool.

[Quahog]

8. Seems a perfect fit to me

Whatever she comes up with will be stunning, I am sure. Saw her show following "Mister Heartbreak," and laughed and cried. Saw the show following "Strange Angels," and mostly cried. She is such a remarkable artist. I am very happy for her.

[Ann Arbor Dem]

9. Wow!

This is great news!