American Masters Season 37 Episode 6 Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV

Nam June Paik was a pioneer in the creation of video art and manipulating television as an artistic medium. In American Masters season 37 episode 6, entitled "Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV," the life and work of Paik is explored through interviews with friends, family, and colleagues.

The episode begins with Paik's early years in South Korea during the Korean War and his move to Japan, where he studied music and art. It was in Japan where he met future collaborator, the artist Shuya Abe, and together they created one of the first video installations, "Robot K-456."

The episode delves deep into Paik's career as he moved to New York City and became part of the Fluxus art movement. Paik's friends and contemporaries, including artist Yoko Ono, reflect on Paik's contributions to the Fluxus movement and the avant-garde art scene of the 1960s.

One of Paik's most iconic works of art was "TV Buddha," a sculpture consisting of a bronze Buddha statue seated in front of a closed-circuit television screen. The episode explores the inspiration behind this piece and the meanings it holds.

Another of Paik's famous works was "Global Groove," a video collage that captured the essence of the cultural exchange and fusion occurring at the time. The episode features a behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Global Groove" and the impact it had upon its release.

Throughout his career, Paik continued to push the boundaries of what was considered art and drew inspiration from a wide variety of sources. The episode touches on his collaborations with musicians, such as John Cage and Charlotte Moorman, and how music influenced his work.

As Paik's health began to deteriorate, he stayed active in the art community and continued to work on new projects. One of his final pieces was "The More the Better," which consisted of hundreds of televisions stacked on top of each other to create a large video wall. The episode explores the meaning behind this piece and its significance as one of his last completed works.

Overall, "Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV" provides an in-depth look at the life and career of one of video art's most influential pioneers. Through interviews with those who knew him best, viewers gain a greater understanding of the inspirations behind Paik's work and the impact he had upon the art world.