Nam June Paik: Global Visionary

Korean-born artist Nam June Paik (1932-2006) is known for his cutting-edge approach to art, and this new volume features both well-known works - such as 'Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska' - and more rarely seen pieces. It also includes an array of objects from the newly acquired Paik Archive at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (toys, televisions, correspondence, and newspapers). Crucial to our understanding of Paik's art, this archive reveals the central role of memory in his creative process, and firmly anchors his work within the social, political and technological contexts of his times. Author John G. Hanhardt considers key questions: "Who was Nam June Paik? - the world's best-known Korean-born artist?", "The world's best-known video artist?", "A Fluxus artist?", "A performance artist?", "An avant-garde composer and musician?", "A German artist?", "An American artist?" The simple fact is that Nam June Paik was all of these things, and more. Nam June Paik: Global Visionary is a new chance to examine the legacy of his work and how it had a pivotal role in transforming the 20th century art world.