Laurie Anderson

This performance artist obviously enjoys the enigmatic image created by her technologically-inspired shows, since she reveals little in this overwritten look at her work. An introductory essay by Elle editor Howell basically rehashes the interview of Anderson that follows while adding less-than-fascinating information like She is almost a chain-smoker, a chronic coffee-drinker, and a no-nonsense dresser. The interview itself is no more probing, and ends with a smug mutual statement that anyone who did not grow up during the sixties missed the party. Several of Anderson's original drawings are included, but mostly they seem to be rough sketches used to plan how her shows will be choreographed. There are the usual filmography and discography, and also a themography, explaining the meaning of typical Anderson motifs like typography and water. Howell does not trust the reader to have the most basic level of cultural knowledge, adding parenthetical notes to Anderson's interview responses, such as one that explains that Barnard is a women's college. At one point Anderson complains that the public thinks of performance art as gay black men with holes cut in the backs of their pants but neither she nor this book offers a better definition. Photos not seen by PW (Sept.)