"Sharp Stabs of Strangeness"

Laurie Anderson's influence. PLUS: The Heard playlist No. 7

Back in 2014, when I was a columnist for Design Observer, the editors asked me and other regular contributors at the time to name five “influences,” who would be listed on our bio page, as part of a redesign. For me, the first name that came to mind was Laurie Anderson; for many years, I’ve named her when I’ve been asked to pick a hero or heroes.

But th…