Untitled (Robot), 1992, single-channel video in robot-shaped assemblage of radio, television, and stereo system parts, with metal hardware, and additions in paint; color, silent, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift to the Nam June Paik Archive from the Nam June Paik Estate
We are delighted to introduce a new member of our social media team here at the Smithsonian American Art Museum - PaikBot! PaikBot is the nickname we've given to one of the robot artworks in the upcoming exhibition, Nam June Paik: Global Visionary.
Nam June Paik is considered the father of video art, and his ideas and work transformed the art of the twentieth century. In many of his multimedia sculptures (such as his robots), Paik wanted to humanize technology by combining TVs and other hardware with familiar, non-threatening forms. The exhibition will feature key artworks from throughout Paik's extensive career, as well as material drawn from the Nam June Paik Archive, which was acquired by the museum in 2009.
PaikBot is very excited to be included in this exhibition, so will be sharing his experiences through Twitter, beginning with his conservation and installation then continuing with his ongoing discoveries about Nam June Paik and other artworks in the exhibition. Visitors to the exhibition and the website can ask him questions, which he will do his best to answer! Follow him on Twitter for regular updates.
Nam June Paik: Global Visionary will be on view at the American Art Museum from December 13, 2012 through August 11, 2013, and PaikBot will be tweeting throughout!
