{"id":4561,"date":"2011-09-20T11:13:15","date_gmt":"2011-09-20T15:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/apanews.si.edu\/?p=4561"},"modified":"2011-09-20T11:13:15","modified_gmt":"2011-09-20T15:13:15","slug":"nam-june-paik","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/apa.si.edu\/now\/nam-june-paik\/","title":{"rendered":"Nam June Paik"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Nam<\/a>

Nam June Paik's Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii (1995)<\/p><\/div>\n

On July 20th, the Smithsonian American Art Museum<\/a>\u00a0(SAAM) celebrated what would have been\u00a0Nam June Paik<\/a>‘s\u00a079th birthday, as well as his piece, Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"Nam<\/a>

Nam June Paik (1932-2006)<\/p><\/div>\n

Considered to be the father of video art, Nam June Paik was a revolutionary in the field of contemporary art.\u00a0Recognizing 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<\/em> art world.\u00a0 As stated by John Hanhardt of the Guggenheim Museum, \u201cPaik’s work [had] a profound and sustained impact on the media culture of the late twentieth century.\u201d1<\/sup><\/p>\n

While Superhighway<\/em> 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<\/em>, and Ommah<\/em>.\u00a0 Paik is celebrated for his modern innovation and creativity.\u00a0 He is remembered for his groundbreaking artistry.<\/p>\n

\"Superhighway<\/a>

Superhighway Cake from the Eye Level Blog<\/p><\/div>\n

The Nam June Paik event was held in the Watch This! <\/em>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\u00a0Superhighway<\/em>.\u00a0 The party continued in the Luce Foundation Center, with a large sheet cake adorned with the printed image of the\u00a0Superhighway<\/em>.<\/p>\n

At the reception, staff members were able to reconnect with Paik\u2019s nephew, Ken Hakuta Paik, who flew in from New York.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

To learn more about Paik and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, please visit\u00a0http:\/\/americanart.si.edu\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n