David Bowie's influence on popular music has had a lasting effect on numerous artists over the years. There is no other act from 2014 that carries on Bowie's chameleon spirit like St. Vincent's Annie Clark, though. The artist's fourth, self-titled album was a big hit, and Clark stopped by Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art to discuss Bowie's influence.
As Consequence of Sound points out, the MCA has hosted a special exhibit titled "David Bowie Is" since September. It features more than 300 items from the artist's personal collection, and the museum has also hosted live events in addition to the exhibit. Clark talked about some of her own career experiences before launching into Bowie.
"I am curious to unpack this idea of authenticity," Clark says in the video below, "and when did it become more authentic to just stand onstage with no lights or costume or theatricality and just stand up there with a beard and your feelings? Bowie's heroes were people like Little Richard who did '50s queerness with a wink and a smile because that was all that was palatable for the time."
Clark labeled Bowie an extension of soul showmanship that James Brown and Richard championed throughout their careers.
"Also, he had a myriad of aesthetics and was constantly changing," she added. "But it was always rooted in music. If David Bowie wasn't a great songwriter, none of us would be here today, sitting and talking about authenticity as a guise."
Clark's talk wrapped up the exhibit, which closed today, Jan. 4, after four months.
The singer's St. Vincent album ranked No. 1 on Music Times's list of 2014's best LPs.
Readers: What did you think of the talk? Did you attend the exhibit? What are your fondest David Bowie moments? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
