Nam June Paik Korean-American, 1932-2006
Nam June Paik was a Korean-American artist widely regarded as the pioneer of video art. Born in 1932 in Seoul, Korea, he studied music and art history in Japan and Germany before becoming associated with the Fluxus movement in the early 1960s.
Paik was among the first artists to use television and video as artistic media, transforming electronic technology into a sculptural and conceptual language. By manipulating broadcast signals, magnetizing screens, and assembling monitors into architectural structures, he redefined the relationship between image, sound, and space.
His practice merged experimentation with humor and philosophical reflection, often addressing themes of globalization, communication, and media culture. Monumental installations such as TV Garden and Electronic Superhighway exemplify his vision of a connected world shaped by electronic transmission.
His works are held in major public collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; the Tate Modern, London; and the Centre Pompidou, Paris. Nam June Paik remains a central figure in contemporary art, celebrated for establishing video as a major artistic medium.
