Laurie Anderson / interviewed by Susan Sailow.

Intro: Laurie Anderson is a performance artist, a wonderful one. She utilizes visual techniques along with music to tell her stories about human beings, and, in particular, American human beings. She also uses many “technical tricks” on stage: harmonizers, repetitions of images, and a tape-bow violin. A very skilled performer.
In Part One, Anderson is interviewed by Susan Sailow, and discussing the literary, technical, and musical aspects of her work. They analyze the literary aspects of Anderson’s work, such as her penchant for funny stories and wordplay. Anderson talks about fellow artist Chris Burden and the elimination of metaphor. She discusses how her artistic approach runs counter to “the California sense of the world”; The second part of this episode emphasizes the technical aspects of Anderson’s work, such as the instruments she has created. Anderson also talks about the nature of theater and performance. Includes excerpts from performance at Cabrillo College Music Festival and of recorded works. The first part contains the following recordings: “Three Expediencies”; (studio); “It’s Not the Bullet That Kills You, It’s the Hole”; (studio),”Time to Go (for Diego)”; (studio);”Born, Never Asked”; (studio); untitled tape-bow violin performance at 1979 Cabrillo College Music Festival; “Closed Circuits”; (live at Cabrillo); “The Language of the Future”; (live at Cabrillo); “Born, Never Asked”; (live at Cabrillo); “New York Social Life”; (studio).
Part Two contains Anderson’s concert performance “Americans On The Move” from the Summer 1979 Cabrillo College Music Festival performance, recorded by Charles Amerkhanian, including untitled tape-bow violin performance; “Closed Circuits”; “Born, Never Asked”; and “The Language of the Future”. Laurie Anderson talks with Susan Sailow about how shaping time is at the core of her art, her studio, electronics and how performing is just like playing at home to her. They discuss the interaction between visual and aural elements of her art. Anderson talks about using printing presses as rhythm tracks, tape-bow violin, and some of her influences and collaborators. Other recordings heard here include “Born, Never Asked” (studio). “Walk the Dog” (live at Cabrillo); “Is Anybody Home?” (studio); “Ethics is the Esthetics of the Few-Ture” (studio); “Song for Juanita” (studio); “Time to Go (For Diego)” (studio). Tape ends with a repeat of the same Cabrillo College Music Festival performance of “Walk the Dog.”
Musical pieces are repeated throughout all parts of this program. Very confusing and unclear if this is done purposefully.