Date of Birth: March 7, 1940
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: April 9, 2016
Biography
Tony Conrad was an influential American avant-garde artist, filmmaker, musician, and educator, whose work spanned several decades and a multitude of mediums. Born in Concord, New Hampshire, Conrad was a significant figure in the development of drone music, minimalist film, and conceptual art. He studied mathematics at Harvard University before moving to New York City in the early 1960s, where he became involved with the downtown experimental art scene. Conrad was a founding member of the Theatre of Eternal Music, also known as the Dream Syndicate, alongside La Monte Young, John Cale, and Marian Zazeela. This ensemble played a crucial role in the creation of drone-based music, influencing future genres like minimalism and ambient music. In addition to his musical contributions, Conrad was a pioneering experimental filmmaker. His best-known film, “The Flicker” (1966), is considered a landmark in structural film. It consists of alternating black and white frames, creating a stroboscopic effect that challenges viewers’ perceptions of time and motion. Conrad’s influence extended into academia as well; he taught at various institutions, including Antioch College and the University at Buffalo, where he was a beloved and innovative professor. Throughout his career, he continued to challenge conventional boundaries and encourage interdisciplinary exploration.
5 Interesting Facts about Tony Conrad
1. Tony Conrad was also a noted mathematician and often incorporated mathematical concepts into his artistic work.
2. He collaborated with artists such as Mike Kelley, Charlemagne Palestine, and Genesis P-Orridge.
3. His musical instrument of choice was the violin, which he played in a highly unconventional manner, often using it to produce drone sounds.
4. Conrad’s film “The Flicker” caused some viewers to experience seizures, leading to discussions about the physiological effects of visual art.
5. He was posthumously awarded the Foundation for Contemporary Arts John Cage Award in 2016.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Tony Conrad
1. “Art, to me, is about challenging perceptions and creating new ways of seeing and understanding the world.”
2. “The essence of music is not in the notes we play, but in the spaces between them.”
3. “My work is an ongoing experiment, a continual process of discovery and reinvention.”
4. “The boundaries between different forms of art are artificial; true creativity knows no limits.”
5. “It’s not about creating something that lasts forever, but something that changes the way we think and feel.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Tony Conrad was estimated to be around $1 million, primarily from his work as an artist, educator, and musician.
Children
Tony Conrad had one son, Branden W. Joseph, who is a noted art historian and critic, currently a professor at Columbia University.
Relevant Links
1. [Tony Conrad on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Conrad
2. [The Flicker on UbuWeb](http://www.ubu.com/film/conrad_flicker.html
4. [Interview with Tony Conrad on Bomb Magazine](https://bombmagazine.org/articles/tony-conrad/
5. [Tony Conrad’s Music on Bandcamp](https://tonyconrad.bandcamp.com/