Friday, June 11, 2004
The Apotheosis of Bern Porter
PHILADELPHIA, June 11 - Scientist, artist, and culture jammer Bern Porter, went out in a defiant flourish today at the funeral of his contemporary Ronald Wilson Reagan - the 40th president of the United States.
For fourteen seconds, during a commanding performance of "Amazing Grace" at the National Cathedral, a noisy and disturbing static was seen, heard, and felt on wide-screen televisions across the nation.
The frantic static was none other than Mr. Porter's disembodied shade.
Today, Bern Porter's vexed spirit is remembered in those fourteen seconds of static, which Borges called infinity, as fans, friends and foes join together to sing poet Lee Ann Brown's "Amazing Amazing Grace" fourteen times.
For fourteen seconds, during a commanding performance of "Amazing Grace" at the National Cathedral, a noisy and disturbing static was seen, heard, and felt on wide-screen televisions across the nation.
The frantic static was none other than Mr. Porter's disembodied shade.
Today, Bern Porter's vexed spirit is remembered in those fourteen seconds of static, which Borges called infinity, as fans, friends and foes join together to sing poet Lee Ann Brown's "Amazing Amazing Grace" fourteen times.
