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Communicative Arts Seminar 1117-497(01)

Alternate Fieldtrip Assignment

Nam June Paik: Can Video Be “Art”?Part I

Visit the three video installations in the Smithsonian American Art Museum at Gallery Place by

Nam June Paik. Bring this sheet with you to make your notes. Enter the “G Street” Lobby. Take the

elevator to the 3rd floor, and locate each of the video installations. Spend at least five minutes at two* of 

them. Feel free to ask the information desk, security guards or museum docents for directions.

1) Megatron Matrix

2) Zen for TV

3) Electronic Superhighway

In 60-80 words, describe each* of these artworks. (* - You can describe one of the three in a much shorter paragraph)

Part II -- Answer the following questions in an essay format of at least 1,200 words.

How do these artworks use Television to comment on the culture of television?

Which of the three artworks do you think makes the best point? Why?

Name at least three familiar video clips, which are used in the artworks. Had you seen them before?

How did this new context (i.e. being part of a large video wall) change what they mean?

If “Art” is defined as ‘any form of media, which makes you, think in a new way,’ which (if any) of these

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QuickTimeª and a TIFF (Uncompressed) decompres

are needed to see this picture.

video installations are “art”? Why/why not?

How did Nam June Paik utilize stereotypes and clichés? Which are the most obvious? Are any offensive

to you? Do you think any might be offensive to others?

Define “representation”. How accurately do you think 

each of the video clips ‘represents’ each of the U.S. States

in Electronic Superhighway?

As an example, name one (1) clip which you think does a

good job at accurate representation – and one (1) clip

which you think does a bad job at representation.

What video did Nam June Paik choose to represent D.C.?

Could it ever be accurate? Why/why not?

Is this artwork cool or lame? Explain your answer.

PART III

Do some research about Nam June Paik. Wikipedia is a good place to start:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nam_June_Paik 

But do a little more research. Look around the Smithsonian webpages, and some other art galleries, the

FLUXUS Movement and Nam June Paik’s studio homepage.

http://www.si.edu/opa/insideresearch2/articles/V12_America.html

http://www.guggenheim.org/exhibitions/past_exhibitions/paik/paik_top.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluxus_movement

http://www.paikstudios.com/ 

Answer the following questions in an essay format of at least 1,500 words.

What were some of the key ideas that Nam June Paik demonstrated with his artworks?

As an example, name at least two (2) of his artworks not on display at the Smithsonian American Art

Museum.

What was the FLUXUS Movement? What was/is it trying to accomplish? How was/is it using

technology to do this? Are they fighting against stereotypes and clichés, or reinforcing them?

In you opinion, are Nam June Paik and the FLUXUS Movement it doing a good job? Why/why not?

What would you do to make video art that is more accessible and meaningful for today’s urban media

audience?

Briefly describe what type of video installation art you would create if you were going to make a similar

statement. What clips would you choose? How would you configure the monitors? Would you use any

particular stereotypes and/or clichés?

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All written assignments must be typed, double-spaced and follow standard American English grammar

conventions. Please see the syllabus for detailed information and academic honesty policy.

Submit your written assignment to the instructor by 7pm on March 15 (the Ides of March), either as a

hardcopy during class meeting time or via e-mail or the Blackboard digital Dropbox.