Topics in Recorded Music: Laurie Anderson & Lou Reed

Catalog description

What does it mean to be a successful artist? To some, success is found in artistic freedom — not only in crossing genres, but disciplines, media, and forms. This seven-week course explores that question and others in an in-depth exploration of the multidisciplinary artistry of Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson. The two disparate musicians, quintessential New York City artists who coupled and married during the last 20 years of Reed's life, are each hugely influential pioneers. This class will explore the idea of the modern musician as a collaborative and interdisciplinary artist by definition, using Anderson and Reed as a dual model of 21st century musical practice.