"Separation Anxiety: Not the Truth About Alchemy" (1997) by Norie Neumark is an alchemical aural text, a journey through stages of transformation. Historically, alchemy was a way of knowing through a mind/body/and spirit that were not split. The alchemist was understood as a performer who performed his way of knowing in a theater of physiological, psychological, philosophical and spiritual dimensions. Separation is one of the stages or gates of alchemy. Anxiety, a moment when truths are no longer so comfortable or comforting... Separation anxiety is the a moment in which truth, regularity, and categories give way, allowing things to manifest themselves in their singularity. It is a moment more fruitful than chaos. A moment to be experienced. With participating artists and alchemists, Neumark creates this theater, opening the gate to a new way of knowing and doing.

In its ten years as a weekly national series, 1987-1998, New American Radio (NAR) commissioned and distributed over 300 original works: conceptual new drama, associational documentary, language explorations, sonic meditations, environmental compositions, musical explorations and works that pioneer new dimensions in acoustic space. Wave Farm is thrilled to be partnering with New American Radio to ensure these works remain available to listeners today and into the future.

New American Radio was organized by Helen Thorington, Executive Producer and Regine Beyer, Associate Producer. A special thanks to both Helen Thorington and Jo-Anne Green for their generous support and collaboration of this partnership, and their contribution to the field at large!

Click here to explore individual artists and works.