Synesthesia: Laurie Anderson

1997-2001, 47:07 min, color, sound

Tony Oursler's Synesthesia project features interviews with twelve legendary figures in the downtown music, performance and art scenes: John Cale, Thurston Moore, Dan Graham, Genesis P-Orridge, Kim Gordon, Glenn Branca, Laurie Anderson, Tony Conrad, David Byrne, Lydia Lunch, Alan Vega, and Arto Lindsay. These works were originally included as one element of Oursler and Mike Kelley's multimedia installation The Poetics Project. These conversations reveal fascinating insights and anecdotes from some of the most influential figures in the experimental rock and art underground of the 1970s and '80s, from pre-punk innovators to post-punk icons, from industrial and avant-garde music to noise bands and "no wave."

Laurie Anderson successfully works across cultural lines and disciplines, fusing a conceptual art framework with a firm grasp of popular aesthetics. In addition to exhibitions at word-class venues, she has produced commercial albums (garnering a hit single along the way), released a feature film, and created pieces for radio. Her large-scale theatrical productions, such as 1983's United States, synthesize visual effects, performance, music, and video.

Produced by Tony Oursler. Questions: Tony Oursler, Mike Kelley, David West, Linda Post. Camera: Linda Post, Tony Oursler. Editing: Tony Oursler, Elizabeth Kading.