My Paik Nam June

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea is holding My Paik Nam June, an international symposium commemorating Nam June Paik’s 90th birthday at its auditorium in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea on Friday, November 18, 2022. 

The symposium is part of the Paik Nam June Festival being held by the MMCA in commemoration of Nam June Paik’s 90th birthday. Last September 15, The More, The Better, the largest-scale media artwork created by the deceased artist, was reactivated, and Merry Mix: The More, The Better, an archives exhibition about the process of the preservation/restoration of said work was also started. On November 10, a large-scale exhibition, Paik Nam June Effect, will be held on Nam June Paik’s influence on the Korean art scene. Those attending the symposium on November 18 will also see his leading works and the relevant exhibitions.

The symposium will be composed of three sessions: Memories of Paik Nam June, Media Art and Conservation, and Influences of Paik Nam June. At each session, nine well—known researchers at home and abroad specializing in the deceased artist will present studies about the subject.

In session 1, Memories of Paik Nam June, Barbara London, who served as curator at the MoMA, will introduce her memories of communication with him as exhibition director. She will appear live in New York. Saisha Grayson of the Smithsonian American Art Museum will shed light on the meaning of collaboration between him and other artists in linkage with the relevant archives. Prof. Lim Shan of Dongduk Women’s University will analyze the significance of diverse texts left by the artist from a new perspective in an attempt to explore the aesthetic significance of the texts showcasing experimental nature and creativity.

In session 2, Media Art and Coservation, Hanna B. Hölling (Research Professor, Bern University of the Arts and Honorary Associate Professor, University College London) will discuss how to conserve the artist’s works from diverse perspectives including art history, materials used, and relevant technology. Honorary Professor Yi Won Kon of Dankook University, who is also a media artist, will discuss what to aim for concerning Paik Nam June’s video installation work based on CRT technology from an analog technology-related context. Conservator Kwon Incheol of the MMCA will share information on the process of restoration of The More, The Better, which has recently resumed activation with others. As an expert in conservation, he will present new discussion about monitor-based preservation issues commonly occurring in the deceased artist’s work.

In session 3, Influences of Paik Nam June, Prof. Rhee Jieun of Myongji University will discuss the legacy left by the deceased artist from the overall social context beyond fine art as a creator. Prof. Kim, Hee-Young of Kookmin University will discuss the tendency shown by artists of today inheriting the art of Paik Nam June. Prof. Gregory Zinman of the Georgia Institute of Technology will make suggestions concerning the directions and paths of contemporary fine arts associated with Paik Nam June’s art.

At the close of the sessions, attendees will meet together for overall discussion about the significance of the symposium including shedding light on the past, present, and future of research on Paik Nam June and exploration of the significance of artistic legacy left by him.

Those interested may apply for attendance at the symposium by making reservations through the MMCA’s homepage (300 attendees will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.)

Session 1—Memories of Paik Nam June
Barbara London (curator/writer) / Saisha Grayson (Curator of time-based media at the Smithsonian American Art Museum) / Lim Shan(Associate Professor, Dongduk Women’s University)

Session 2—Media Art and Conservation
Hanna B. Hölling (Research Professor, Bern University of the Arts and Honorary Associate Professor, University College London) / Yi Won Kon (President of the Korea Society of Basic Design and Art (KSBDA)) / Kwon Incheol (Conservator, MMCA, Korea)

Session 3—Influences of Paik Nam June
Rhee Jieun (Professor, Myongji University) / Kim, Hee-young (Professor, Kookmin University) / Gregory Zinman (Associate Professor, Georgia Tech)