Laurie Anderson: Authentically Avant Garde

Avant Garde is defined as "the advance group in any field, especially in the visual, literary, or musical arts, whose works are characterized chiefly by unorthodox and experimental methods." If one could look with a retrospective eye at the career of Laurie Anderson, one would place her image directly beneath that definition. With a career that began in the late 60s, Anderson has straddled the media outlets of music, video, electronics, art, poetry, and performance.
Born in 1947, this Illinois native graduated Barnard College magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in art history, and earned an MFA in Sculpture at Columbia University in 1972. She has an impressive and successful recording background, worked as an art critic for Art Forum, and even illustrated children's books. She has worked with the likes of Philip Glass, John Cage, William Boroughs, and Allen Ginsberg.  In 1980, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from the San Francisco Art Institute. 
After an endless string of artistic successes, which includes honors and awards, guest appearances, artistic collaborations, and her usual cutting edge and innovative artistic expression, Anderson earned a second honorary doctorate of arts from  Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, in 2013. In 2008, Laurie Anderson married fellow musician, Lou Reed, who passed away in 2013.
On October 10, 2017, Laurie Anderson was given yet one more honor: The Insignia of Officer of The Order of Arts and Letters from the Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy.  After Anderson received the ornate pin (which she wore with pride), we spoke with her about her work, and, or of course, her definition of luxury.
"Well, it all starts with a chair," she said, retaining that mischievous grin, "then there's ten books on each side of me, then there's a fireplace, and some cheese..." Her response mirrored her belief that one of the goals of art is to be free to express it. We believe the same can be said of luxury.

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