One of the aims of the experimental film module is going to see experimental film work in situ, so we went to the Tate Modern to see the work of Nam June Paik, the ‘godfather’ of video art.
Below are some of my thoughts about his work.
“TV BUDDHA“
” TV Buddha” shows the Buddha in a seated position with an image of him being reflected through a TV screen.
I found the uncomfortable juxtaposition between the meditating Buddha and the TV monitor interesting, as people meditate to disconnect from technology. I would never meditate in front of a TV monitor as it represents the very thing I want to seek solace from when I meditate.
When we meditate, we seek to confront ourselves, but Nam June Paik superficialises the Buddhist form of self-reflection by placing this TV Monitor infront of the Buddha.
I feel like TV Buddha also plays on our identity being slowly constructed and created through another reality, in this current age we are often represented through electric currents pixelated onto a screen, our consciousness being reflected through a digital medium…something that did not exist in Gautama’s lifetime.
It also reminded me of W.E.B Dubois’ concept of having a ‘double consciousness‘ – a psychological challenge or internal conflict that oppressed persons feel about their identity being fragmented, feeling that their sense of self is partly influenced by how they are viewed by the oppressor.
In this context, the Buddha was the oppressed and the TV was the oppressor, representing the inescapable wrath of Western ‘globalisation’ transmitting the identities and bodies of the Other onto a TV Screen that can be broadcasted for the world to see.
“TV GARDEN”
Upon entering the exhibition, I saw an installation of an array of TV sets that appear to grow from the luscious ‘garden’ of foliage in a dark room, with the TV sets being the only light source. Different images of people and objects glared on the screen whilst the foliage remained still and immobile.
Something seemed off about TV sets being nestled in flora and fauna and to me, it seemed like the representation of the relationship between man and nature as throughout human history we have had a desire, an everlasting need to conquer and claim unexplored spaces. TV sets represented this achievement, as in the era of the digital age we are now able to explore everything – satellites allow us to see into the deepest corners of the Borneo to the Amazon – we have successfully conquered nature.
“UNCLE AND AUNT”
What I found interesting about Uncle & Aunt was the fact that these robots were a part of a robot family he created, using newer monitors for the younger members of the family, representing the technological innovations of humans over time.
All in all I very much appreciated the fact I got to see this fascinating exhibition. Seeing his work instantly made me think Nam June Paik was a humorous guy, who also had a deep passion to explore his Korean and East-Asian side through his work and I think his use of Buddhism showed his passion to explore Buddhist thought around the human mind and the link it has with our technological innovations.
Tomás 