In Memoriam: Nam June Paik
May 1–22, 2006

Innovative, witty, versatile, and wise are words that come to mind when reflecting upon pioneering artist Nam June Paik (1932–2006). Paik’s innovative work shaped the early history of video art and contributed to the foundation of MoMA’s media collection. His work was first shown at MoMA in the 1968 exhibition The Machine as Seen at the End of the Mechanical Age. Since then, many exhibitions at the Museum have featured his classic videotapes and video sculptures. Today, his artistic spirit reaches around the globe. All works directed by Paik, or in collaboration with Paik, as noted.

Organized by Barbara London, Associate Curator; Sally Berger, Assistant Curator; and Maholo Uchida, Intern, Department of Film and Media, in collaboration with Electronic Arts Intermix.

Program 1
Button Happening. 1965. A single performance action recorded the day Paik acquired his first portable camera. Silent. 2 min.
Missa of Zen. 1967. In collaboration with Jud Yalkut. 3 min. Silent.
Electronic Moon, Parts 2 and 3. 1967–69. In collaboration with Jud Yalkut. Two historical collaborations document Paik’s earliest experiments with electronic imagery. 3 min.
Early Color TV Manipulations. 1965–68. In collaboration with Jud Yalkut. 5 min. Silent.
Video Commune (Beatles from Beginning to End). 1970–92. In collaboration with Jud Yalkut. Silent. 9 min.
TV Cello Premiere. 1971. In collaboration with Jud Yalkut. Early Color TV Manipulations, Video Commune, and TV Cello Premiere are rare early works that reveal insights into Paik’s evolution as an artist. 7 min. Silent.
Global Groove. 1973. Codirected by John J. Godfrey. An electronic collage that subverts the language of television. 29 min. Program 58 min.
Monday, May 1, 8:00; Wednesday, May 17, 8:00. T2

Program 2
Suite 212. 1975/1977. In collaboration with Douglas Davis, Jud Yalkut, Shigeko Kubota. An electronic collage of short collaborative pieces about New York neighborhoods. 30 min.
A Tribute to John Cage. 1973/1976. A lively homage to Paik’s friend and mentor. 29 min.
Merce by Merce by Paik. 1978. A collaboration with Charles Atlas, Merce Cunningham, Shigeko Kubota. Time and space are transformed in a tribute to Cunningham and Marcel Duchamp. 28 min. Program 87 min.
Friday, May 5, 8:30; Thursday, May 18, 8:00. T2

Program 3
Guadalcanal Requiem. 1977/1979. With Charlotte Moorman. On a World War II battlefield, Paik confronts history, cultural memory, and mythology. 28 min.
Lake Placid ’80. 1980. An exuberant, high-speed collage commissioned for the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. 4 min.
Allan ‘n’ Allen’s Complaint. 1982. Codirected by Shigeko Kubota. On Kaprow and Ginsberg, the influence of Jewish fathers, and the complexity of familial relationships. 29 min. Program 61 min.
Thursday, May 11, 8:00; Sunday, May 21, 4:30. T2

Program 4
Good Morning Mr. Orwell. 1984. A satellite extravaganza linking different countries, spaces, and times in a collage of avant-garde and pop. 30 min.
“Topless Cellist” Charlotte Moorman. 1995. Codirected by Howard Weinberg. A recorded performance and interviews with family and friends are interwoven in a heartfelt tribute to Paik’s longtime muse. 29 min. Program 59 min.
Saturday, May 13, 4:30; Monday, May 22, 8:00. T2

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