[Photo] Nam June Paik’s 20th Memorial Exhibition… ‘First Reveal’ in Korea: 11 Masterpieces Including “London Post Office Box”

The return of “Nam June Paik”, the founder of video art

The artistic legacy of the master of video art, “Nam June Paik” (1932–2006), has been brought back to life in Seoul. “Nam June Paik: Rewind / Repeat”, which opened in the APMA display cabinet at Amorepacific’s headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, is a landmark exhibition jointly curated by the Gagosian Gallery and the estate after 25 years. Ken Hakuta, the nephew and heir, recalled another side of the master, saying, “He was a good uncle to his nephew, who kept asking him to buy a TV quickly. But when he finally turned on the TV himself and stayed up late watching it, he would fall asleep.” From the early works to the masterpieces of his later years, all 11 pieces overwhelm visitors.

A bold fusion of electronics and the human body: “TV Bra for a Living Sculpture”

The key work drawing the most attention inside the exhibition space is “TV Bra for a Living Sculpture”, created in 1969 for Charlotte Moorman. As the sounds of a cello performance reshaped the image of a small black-and-white TV screen, the work laid out an early vision of bringing technology together with humanity. Ken Hakuta added vivid details about what happened then: “When Charlotte Moorman told him to help her put it on, my uncle was furious. He said, ‘Why are you making me do that?’” In that way, the master’s daring artistic philosophy—always ahead of its time—becomes unmistakably clear.

A crossroads of past and present, “For London and Overseas (London Post Office Box)”

First made public in Korea, the 1982 work “London Post Office Box” installs a small screen into a standard mail slot to transmit real-time video. It is an original attempt that links past objects with the newest media of the time. “Nam June Paik” always pursued the most progressive technology. The estate’s conservation approach is to carefully preserve the original circular exterior while replacing the internal technology with the latest version—so the work continues to live on with enduring vitality.

Perfect convergence of Eastern and Western thought: “Gold TV Buddha”

The 2005 work “Gold TV Buddha” demonstrates the delicate harmony between ancient spirituality and modern media. A bronze Buddha statue coated in gold stares at a monitor that reflects its own image through CCTV, while the image displayed on the screen changes continuously based on visitors’ participation. In addition, masterpieces that expand the vast artistic world of “Nam June Paik”, such as “Bakelite Robot” assembled from vintage radios and the wooden relief painting sculpture “Orchestra”, add further depth to the exhibition.

A vision for the future of copyright and the centennial of “Nam June Paik”’s birth

Ken Hakuta stated a firm yet open stance regarding controversies surrounding counterfeits and copyright. He emphasized that any business requires prior consultation with the estate, but he also made clear that he is ready to collaborate with Korea’s art world at any time. His ultimate goal, he said, is for a trustworthy institution to acquire the copyright in full. He also did not hide his strong anticipation for hosting a major retrospective in Korea to mark the upcoming 2032 centennial of “Nam June Paik”’s birth.

A prophet who foresaw the era of one-person media: “Nam June Paik”

Nick Simunovich, director of the Gagosian Gallery, said, “‘Nam June Paik’ was a prophet who predicted YouTube,” praising the insight with which he grasped the modern era of one-person media represented by YouTube and TikTok. Reexamining his timeless genius and unparalleled artistic achievements, this “Nam June Paik: Rewind / Repeat” exhibition runs through May 16.