NOW Live from the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

On July 20th, the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) celebrated what would have been Nam June Paik‘s 79th birthday, as well as his piece, Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii.

Considered to be the father of video art, Nam June Paik was a revolutionary in the field of contemporary art. Recognizing the importance of utilizing new technology as a medium for artistic expression, Paik began to create pieces using TV screens, film reels, neon lighting, and other high-tech outlets, effectively transforming the media and art world.  As stated by John Hanhardt of the Guggenheim Museum, “Paik’s work [had] a profound and sustained impact on the media culture of the late twentieth century.”¹

While Superhighway is the only Paik piece at SAAM, he is also known for his other works such as TV Cello, TV Bra for Living Sculpture, Something Pacific, Positive Egg, and Ommah.  Paik is celebrated for his modern innovation and creativity.  He is remembered for his groundbreaking artistry.

The Nam June Paik event was held in the Watch This! Gallery of the museum. Featured lecturers included John Hanhardt (senior American Art curator for media arts) and artist Jim Campbell, who discussed the compositional significance of the Superhighway.  The party continued in the Luce Foundation Center, with a large sheet cake adorned with the printed image of the Superhighway.

At the reception, staff members were able to reconnect with Paik’s nephew, Ken Hakuta Paik, who flew in from New York.  Since the death of his uncle in 2006, Ken has been the one in charge of Nam June Paiks’ affairs as well as the preservation of Paik’s legacy.

To learn more about Paik and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, please visit http://americanart.si.edu/

Related Links:

• More about Nam June Paik
• More work from Nam June Paik
• More about this event from Eye Level – the official SAAM blog
• About Paik’s exhibition from December 14, 2012 to August 11, 2013

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¹ Hanhardt, John.  Retrieved from http://www.paikstudios.com/essay.html.