Semi-Conducting: Rambles Through the Post-Cagean Thicket

Chapter 4: Four Ridiculously Large Speakers


The author (in background) performing Alvin Lucier's Queen of the South (1972) on Arp 2600 synthesizer at the opening festivities for the Center for the Arts at Wesleyan University, October 1973. At table in foreground, from left to right: Alex Dea, Katherine Morton, David Behrman, Alvin Lucier. Photographer unknown, possibly Mary Lucier.

Poster for concert by Ron Goldman and the author in the tunnels under the Center for the Arts at Wesleyan, February 1974, cleverly scheduled to coincide with a residency by John Cage. He subsequently wrote about it in his essay "The Future of Music", published in Empty Words -- my first, ego-inflating bit of press. Poster by Meredith Gang.

Alvin Lucier rehearsing Music For Solo Performer at Paula Cooper gallery, May 1975. Seen through a wall of Dynaco SCA80 amplifiers, arranged on their sides by Ron Kuivila and the author as the only way to fit eight on one table. Alvin's comment: "Gordon Mumma would not approve". Photo by Marc Grafe.