Laurie Anderson Essentials

A former sculptor, art critic, and comics author, Laurie Anderson became internationally known when she created performance art that mixed avant-classical with sociopolitical commentary. The visionary multimedia artist broke into the pop world with “O Superman,” her 1981 single that rose to #2 on the U.K. charts. She has since presented larger stage works, like her magnum opus United States; made an acclaimed concert film; and become NASA's first artist-in-residence. Anderson is also a keen collaborator, working with Peter Gabriel, Philip Glass, and her late husband, Lou Reed.