Cosey Fanni Tutti stands as a monumental figure in the realm of industrial music, known for her audacious art that has sparked debate and redefined boundaries. Her contributions span decades, making her a pivotal player in both music and performance art. Now, as she prepares to release a new album titled 2t2, she invites the public to pose questions about her life and work, a testament to her enduring influence and connection to her audience.
Born Christine Carol Newby in 1951, Tutti became a founding member of Coum Transmissions, a collective that aimed to challenge societal norms through provocative art. Their 1976 exhibition Prostitution generated significant controversy, including a denunciation in the UK Parliament, where her art was labelled a “wrecker of civilisation.” The exhibition showcased explicit imagery, reflecting her experiences as a stripper and in the adult film industry, presented alongside shocking artefacts like rusty knives and used sanitary towels. This raw exploration of sexuality and violence laid a foundation for her future work in music.
In 1975, alongside her Coum collaborators Genesis P-Orridge and Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson, Tutti formed Throbbing Gristle. This band not only revolutionised the music scene but also engaged in broader cultural discourse. Their sound, which incorporated samples and industrial elements, was unapologetically confronting. Songs like Zyklon B Zombie drew on historical references, explicitly invoking the horrors of the Holocaust, while tracks such as Hamburger Lady revealed the human experience of trauma and suffering. This bold approach established Throbbing Gristle as icons of the underground movement, influencing countless artists across various genres.
Following the band's disbandment in 1981, Tutti and collaborator Chris Carter shifted styles by forming Chris & Cosey, later rebranded as Carter Tutti. Their evolution into synth-pop distanced them from the abrasive ethos of their earlier work while still maintaining a spirit of innovation. Over the years, they released 17 studio albums, further showcasing Tutti’s versatility as an artist.
In 2017, she shared her life’s narrative in her acclaimed memoir Art Sex Music, which offers a profound reflection on her transgressive art and the traumas that have shaped her. This book is a deep dive into her experiences, and she later expanded her exploration of radical female figures in her follow-up work, Re-Sisters. In it, she tells the captivating stories of remarkable women like electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire and 15th-century mystic Margery Kempe, further underscoring her commitment to elevating women’s voices through history.
As Tutti prepares to unveil 2t2, her latest musical project, she invites followers and fans to engage directly with her. This opportunity to pose questions presents a unique glimpse into the mind of an artist whose work has continually pushed the boundaries of both art and music. Whether inquiring about the sources of her provocative art, her memorable appearances, or her time in an artistic commune, this upcoming Q&A promises to reveal further insights into the life and creative process of a true pioneer.
In a culture where art often treads carefully around challenging subjects, Cosey Fanni Tutti remains a figure unafraid of confrontation. Her willingness to confront complex themes is not only a hallmark of her work but also serves as a call to other artists to explore the depths of their own creativity without fear. As the music industry evolves, her legacy will likely continue to inspire new generations of artists, urging them to embrace the raw and the real in their artistic expressions.
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Source: Noah Wire Services