Laurie Anderson: Midnight Moment & Heart of a Dog

Experimental performance artist, musician, and composer Laurie Anderson and Times Square Arts' Director of Public Art Sherry Dobbin sit down to discuss the screening of Times Square’s Midnight Moment, which runs throughout January 2016, and features a 3 minute edit taken from Anderson’s feature film Heart of a Dog (shortlisted for an Oscar), as well as original audio accompaniment composed specially for the event. The two discuss the inspiration for the film, Laurie’s thoughts on different representations of meaning, sensory perceptions, and playing concerts for dogs.

Midnight Moment is the largest coordinated effort in history by the sign operators in Times Square to display synchronized, cutting-edge creative content on electronic billboards and newspaper kiosks throughout Times Square every night. The program premiered in May 2012 and is organized and supported by the Times Square Advertising Coalition in partnership with Times Square Arts, the public art program for the Times Square Alliance, with additional partners of participating sign holders and artists.

Dark, touching, and often witty, Heart of a Dog is narrated by Anderson, as she reflects on the deaths of her husband, Lou Reed, her mother, and her beloved, piano playing dog, Lolabelle. Enveloped by a hauntingly moving soundtrack, Anderson's clear, wry voice touches on a variety of subjects including ghosts, 9/11, surveillance, and Buddhist teachings.