By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
To honor the legacy of video art pioneer Paik Nam June, the inaugural Nam June Paik Art Center Prize was given to artists Ahn Eun-me, Lee Seung-taek, Ceal Floyer and Robert Adrian X.
A special exhibition featuring the artists' selected works opened Saturday at the NJP Art Center, Giheung, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
``When we were thinking about doing the Nam June Paik Art Prize, it became pretty clear, we wanted to stay in the tradition of Paik and his ideas. But we also wanted to have artists who worked on the edge, and an oeuvre that was extremely risky at the time,'' said Tobias Berger, chief curator, at a press conference at the NJP Center, Thursday.
The prize reflects Paik's contributions to contemporary art and recognizes artists for ``embracing visions of technology, questioning unidirectional communication flows and emphasizing the role of multiple levels of audience participation through practices that bridge together numerous areas, from dance to performance to art.''
Unlike other awards that give one top prize, the NJP Art Center Prizes were awarded to two Korean and two international artists. ``We thought selecting one winner would be against Paik's spirit, so we selected four people who we think are very important. All of them are equal as artists, no hierarchy,'' Berger said.
The 77-year-old Lee was recognized for his ``innovative and diverse practice that questioned established political, social and artists' values, while pushing the boundaries of art and culture.''
Adrian X, a 74-year-old Vienna-based artist, is known for his pioneering work in telecommunications and a global electronic network that preceded the Internet. On display is ``Surveillance'' (1984), a two monitor installation showing two versions of a trip through Vienna, one recorded by a camera inside a van and another from the traffic surveillance center.
Floyer, a British artist currently based in Berlin, creates minimalist multimedia pieces that ``play on the interaction between perception and expectation.'' For instance, ``Drill'' consists of a power drill lying on the floor while plugged into two holes in the wall. ``Dancing Flames'' is a video showing two flames that seem to flicker to the beat of electronic music, but there is no connection between the video and the music.
Ahn is an artist and outstanding choreographer known for combining traditional Korean elements with contemporary aesthetics. Her ``Chronicle of a Beautiful Dancer'' (2009) features herself wearing elaborate gowns, while surrounded by elements inspired by Paik's works like old TVs and goldfishes.
For the opening ceremony Saturday, Ahn held an outdoor performance titled ``Paik Nam June Rhapsody.'' Wearing a white gown, Ahn was suspended in the air along with 24 pianos, with the help of cranes. It was an appropriate fitting tribute to Paik, who created groundbreaking performances and video art.
The Nam June Paik Art Center Prize exhibition runs through Feb. 28. Visit www.njpartcenter.kr or e-mail
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