This film traces the life and work of the avant-garde artist known as the father of video art. Narrated by Oscar nominee Steven Yeun, this documentary charts Nam June Paik’s life from his childhood in Japanese-occupied Korea to his ascent in the New York art scene and beyond. Part of the Dismal Niche "Extended Play" fall mini-festival. (1 hr., 49 min.) Adults and teens.
He was called “the George Washington of video art," a “cultural terrorist” and “citizen zero of the electronic superhighway,” but who really was Nam June Paik, pillar of the American avant-garde in the 20th century and arguably the most famous Korean artist in modern history? In "Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV," director Amanda Kim tells, for the first time, the story of Paik’s meteoric rise in the New York art scene and his Nostradamus-like visions of a future in which “everybody will have his own TV channel.”
Featuring an extensive archive of performance footage, original interviews from Paik’s contemporaries and collaborators, and a voiceover narration of Nam June Paik’s writings read by Steven Yeun ("Minari," "Nope"), the film is a timely meditation on the contradictory ways in which technology elicits both fascist tendencies and intercultural understanding.
This screening is taking place as part the Dismal Niche "Extended Play" fall mini-festival. For more information about all concerts, workshops and events visit dismalniche.com. (1 hr 49 min.)
Adults and teens.