We are the Noise Between Stations

A philosophical exploration of the work of David Byrne, at the crossroads of popular media, conceptual art, and performance theatre

The dissertation "We are the Noise between Stations" contains a complete overview and thorough interpretation of all of David Byrne's work, placing it in the context of performance theory (esp. the work of Richard Schechner), as well as in the context of what the author have called "a poetics of reflexivity".

The author is currently looking for a publishing deal, but in the meantime a small first edition has been printed and made available for sale (€ 30.00 + shipping). Please refer to the authors homepage for details on how to order. The book is written in English with a brief Dutch summary at the end.

introduction

David Byrne, the singer and songwriter of the Talking Heads, the most innovative band of the 1980’s, is also a successful filmmaker and photographer. Fascinated by the roles that music, TV, film and photos fulfill in life, Byrne freely employs the concepts of contemporary art and the methods of performance theatre to investigate these roles, using the results of his investigations to create his own work. In this first comprehensive study of Byrne’s work, a detailed analysis of its development makes clear that it belongs within the tradition of Romanticism. Like the poetical and philosophical experiments with reflexivity of Novalis and Walter Benjamin, Byrne mixes genres and media to allow spectators and listeners a new insight in the influence of mass media on contemporary life.

416 pages, 24 black and white illustrations, 24 x 16,5 cm ISBN: 90.9016874-5 Book design: Josh Moll Published by: Mixed Media vof