What influence did exotica have on art music?
“Poeme Electronique” was the world’s first multimedia installation piece. It was written for, and performed at, The Phillips Pavilion of the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels. Edgard Varese provided the audio for the installation; visuals (colored light and film projections) were designed by Iannis Xenaxis. Interestingly, though it is said that the audio and visual were developed independent of one another, both incorporate elements of exotica prevalent in pop-culture of that time (Martin Denny’s Exotica record was re-recorded for stereo that year).
In addition to the obvious visual elements, like the startling flashing images of Easter Island moai at 4:18 and 4:19, there are many aural elements that almost seem snipped from exotica records. What do you see or hear in Poeme Electronique that reminds you of exotica? Or is it a “feeling” or “vibe” you get from the experience that’s related to exotica?