On 3 June 2021, De Angela presented, “Conjuring The Prince Mystique” at the virtual 3-day Prince 78-88: The First Decade, a 2-day Interdisciplinary Conference, 3-5 June 2021, organized by Dr. Kirsty Fairclough, Dr. Mike Alleyne, and Kristen Zschomler. She also moderated the excellent Under The Cherry Moon panel, also on 3 June 2021.

Presentation Abstract:
Before the symbol and the color purple, Prince’s key visual signatures were the trench coat and smoke. Both were prevalent beginning with Dirty Mind and reaching their peak during the Controversy and 1999 eras. This talk will concentrate primarily on how the ubiquitousness of smoke from fog machines, combined with light, present in music videos and album art would come to symbolize how Prince was ultimately evoked–mysterious, otherworldly, and bewitching.

Please note that the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson is not affiliated, associated or connected with the Prince 78-88 conference, nor has it endorsed or sponsored it. Further, the Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson has not licensed any of its intellectual property to the organizers or speakers.