Critical Writing Index

NAM JUNE PAIK: Portrait of the Electronic Artist

by Victor Ancona

Videography, July Summer 1976, v. 1, no. 4, pp. 20-23

This article discusses Nam June Paik's thoughts and ideas on his works and life. Paik considers techniques to be critical in video art in hoping that the collaboration of video artist and video engineer will progress into the unification of artist and engineer into one person. Encouraged by the grwoing demand for videotapes from museums, galleries, and universities, he believes that advertising, promotion and catalog costs are what will keep the price, even more than the price of a book. The article also discusses his study on ancient Chinese calligraphy, Islamic art, and photography. Through an interview with Paik, this article concludes that there is something very logical about the way he thinks, talks, and works, although it is disturbing to some. However, his experimental contributions will still influence artists for generations to come.

ITEM 1976.070 – available for viewing in the Research Centre

Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited

Paik/Abe Video SynthesizerNam June Paik and Shuya Abe