FLUXLIST: April 26th--nyc
NO REWIND by AlexandraAnderson-Spivy Nam June Paik, who transformed video into an art form and drove to abstraction the images of broadcast TV, died in Miami on Jan. 29, 2006. He was 73. A few days later, on Friday, Feb. 3, Paiks amazing memorial service at the Frank E. Campbell funeral chapel on Madison Avenue reminded everyone there that the art world had lost one of its most joyful and subversive elders. Nam Junes last rites were a rare mix of the sublime and the outrageous. Films of Nam June in action were projected on a screen on the far wall of the room. By 3 pm, when the service began, it was SRO -- for this was a reunion of the Fluxus clan and the now distinctly weathered members of what once was the hardcore avant-garde. Notably present were Jon Hendricks, Museum of Modern Art media curator Barbara London, Kate Millet, Yoko Ono and Jonas Mekas. Notably absent were New York museum directors -- at least I didnt see one. The artist himself, serene as a baby in his open casket, banked by huge baskets and bouquets of white flowers, was practically hidden behind a living wall of several dozen paparazzi festooned with tiny digital cameras, elaborate video cameras and microphones. The reporters had jammed themselves into the space between the pews and the front of the chapel. They had spilled back into the aisles. They climbed over each other, their flash bulbs flaring, as the largely Asian press swarmed like bees on speed to record the event for the newspapers and television channels of Seoul and Tokyo. Ray Johnson scholar Bill Wilson, ever-urbane, whispered in mock horror, "I have Southern relatives who would never make it out of here alive if they saw this!" Our initial shock turned to delight. One of the last great Fluxus events had begun. Carolee Schneemann and I sat beside Shigeko Kubota, Nam Junes widow, in the second row, which was mostly reserved for speakers. Christo and Jeanne-Claudes attempt to be unobtrusive in our row was somewhat undermined by Jeanne-Claudes signature red hair. Yoko Ono and Merce Cunningham appeared at the last minute before the service began. As Yoko sat down in front of us in the first row, next to Betsy Broun, director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the paparazzi went mad. The media storm became a tornado. Reporters with microphones attacked, climbing over Merce in his wheelchair to get to Yoko. Cameras buzzed. With elegant dignity Yoko smiled and turned them away with a few words. The photographers and reporters at last assumed a momentary attitude of relatively quiet respect. Ken Paik Hakuta, the nephew Nam June and Shigeko, brought up after he arrived in America 40 years ago at age 14, led the service. Also known as "Dr. Fad," the charming Hakuta is famous outside the art world as the inventor of the Wacky Wallwalker, a toy that sold millions in the late 1980s. (Within the art world, he is director of Paik Studios). Ken read a telegram from the president of Korea, where a Paik Museum has recently broken ground. He then introduced each speaker. John Hanhardt, film and media arts curator of the Guggenheim Museum, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Yoko, Bill Viola and Betsy Broun all talked about their friendships with Nam June. Wulf Herzogenrath, director of the Bremen Kunsthalle, recalled Paiks early years in Germany. John Hanhardt told a story about the night six years ago when he and Nam June were staying late at the museum to install Paiks year 2000 retrospective. John noticed that Paiks ground floor installation was reflected in the moonlit night sky through the Guggenheim glass ceiling. "Look!" he said to Paik. Nam June looked up, pointed at the sky and said, "Thats high art." Then he pointed to the installation on the Guggenheim floor. "I make low art." Tae-Ho Song, president of the Gyeonggi Foundation in Korea, which is building the Paik museum, described Paik as a national cultural hero. Ken Hakuta followed him, telling many other stories about his uncle. Here's the one he ended with: "In 1998, Nam June was invited to a state dinner at the Clinton White House, June of '98. Some of you will remember -- it's not that long ago -- that was the height of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Nam June was going, and he asked if I would go with him. I wheeled him into the White House, and these gigantic Marines took over from there. Nam June was very amused, I think. He was having a great time, talking to all the people. Then we got into to the receiving line. Nam June decided to show respect, I think, to the President, Mrs. Clinton and the other dignitaries there. He decided to get up from his wheelchair, get on his walker, and try to walk through the receiving line. The world press is across from the line at the state dinner. Tens and tens of cameras and video cameras, everything. So as Nam June is talking to President Clinton, and I'm standing right behind him, Nam June turns around and says
FLUXLIST: S treak, Cloc k
S treak stup an c lap a gust pas t cha mping c lods uh eep chew s porty tran ce s tuck up t here w hy dand le hymn why s can the h eel d ump couldnt go streak g uns hoo ting the bur ger s ack c lot popper .c hunk a s perm dr agging cross yr l egg pallid slamwich .huzzah Cloc k hock heap d win dled por key s patter qu ick a d unce b urns the how s he d ying ?do or burst win dow a f lame g ate my w rist .so waf ting ,so c lock g runt or cheats the sock ban nurd a gamy s kin loss s cream boil yr weenies chuck the musturd up a log lung s pit John M. Bennett __ Dr. John M. Bennett Curator, Avant Writing Collection Rare Books Manuscripts Library The Ohio State University Libraries 1858 Neil Av Mall Columbus, OH 43210 USA (614) 292-3029 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.johnmbennett.net ___
FLUXLIST: nyc not fluxus / list related!
today my partner nic started looking for international schools in new york. this is a dangerous sign - last time she started looking for a job we ended up selling just about everything we owned, giving the cats away and moving to venice. does anyone know of any such schools in the ny area, i know that there's a UN one, but others...? dunno what i'd do though... alan
FLUXLIST: me et me at
me et me at montagne why not the pilgrims shuffle on in slippers me et me at chum tum cranberry holding(s) right away sir right a way stirred closely held beheld beseeching tree bee trimly sequined fine as line-drawn hand or not the null (all) setsheila e. murphy
FLUXLIST: [subject music]
[subject music] 1. whistle: three sound(s). 2. happy: five sound(s). 3. hum: three sound(s). 4. tacet. 5. polka: four sound(s). 6. G.P. 7. slurp: one sound. 8. cocoa: five sound(s). Repeat, as long as needed. 03.24.06
FLUXLIST: Scum Tide
Scum Tide pus, wood clod fragile hill taut it , sea John M. Bennett Rained on by Ivan Arguelles __ Dr. John M. Bennett Curator, Avant Writing Collection Rare Books Manuscripts Library The Ohio State University Libraries 1858 Neil Av Mall Columbus, OH 43210 USA (614) 292-3029 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.johnmbennett.net ___
FLUXLIST: Re: Alexandra's e-mail
Hi, I do not know it but I got the article from www.Artnet.com Go to search site and enter Nam June Paik. There are several articles. This one is from yesterday. I am forwarding to FLUXLIST in case anyone else is interested. Suse - Original Message - From: Judith Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 12:28 PM Subject: Alexandra's e-mail Ken Friedman would like Alex's e-mail address to thank her about Nam June's funeral coverage. Thanks. jah
FLUXLIST: Re: FLUXLIST: nyc not fluxus / list related!
How odd that you should talk of moving to NY Just the other day, I saw your doppelganger. In fact, I very nearly bonked him on the head with a rolled up magazine (why, playfully, of course), until I realized how unlikely it was that you should suddenly turn up walking down 23rd street. I briefly considered giving him a good-natured thump anyway, but I had a bus to catch La Badger Sans Merci today my partner nic started looking for international schools in new york. this is a dangerous sign - last time she started looking for a job we ended up selling just about everything we owned, giving the cats away and moving to venice. does anyone know of any such schools in the ny area, i know that there's a UN one, but others...? dunno what i'd do though... alan
FLUXLIST: Re: FLUXLIST: nyc not fluxus / list related!
On a more utilitarian note: There's something called The International College, although I know nothing about it. It's at 850 3rd Street New York, NY 10022 212 758 2327 Also, there are a number of what are being touted as International Schools that seem to reside within NYC public schools. A Google search of international high schools new york will bring you information on these hybrids. If you need more specific information let me know. I am right here, after all. BG today my partner nic started looking for international schools in new york. this is a dangerous sign - last time she started looking for a job we ended up selling just about everything we owned, giving the cats away and moving to venice. does anyone know of any such schools in the ny area, i know that there's a UN one, but others...? dunno what i'd do though... alan
FLUXLIST: Re: FLUXLIST: nyc not fluxus / list related!
On a more utilitarian note: There's something called The International College, although I know nothing about it. It's at 850 3rd Street New York, NY 10022 212 758 2327 Also, there are a number of what are being touted as International Schools that seem to reside within NYC public schools. A Google search of international high schools new york will bring you information on these hybrids. If you need more specific information let me know. I am right here, after all. BG today my partner nic started looking for international schools in new york. this is a dangerous sign - last time she started looking for a job we ended up selling just about everything we owned, giving the cats away and moving to venice. does anyone know of any such schools in the ny area, i know that there's a UN one, but others...? dunno what i'd do though... alan
Re: FLUXLIST: Ever After
Hey Suse! That's a great book! Is your copy for sale? -Don http://www.donaldboyd.blogspot.com/ http://fluxuswest.blogspot.com/ http://fluxusmuseum.blogspot.com/
FLUXLIST: A special circus
http://www.hanttula.com/exhibits/plushtoys/ Rod Now Playing: http://imagegen.last.fm/ejeculne/recenttracks/rostasi.gif
Re: FLUXLIST: Scum Tide
So, Lets make a FLUXUS ANTHOLOGY 2005 or 6 of poems. Okay, I'll do it. Send me one poem that I can print out on my cheap printer and I will make copies and throw suprise artwork all over it or not-- Officially email a poem to me and I will gather it together with all the other poems mailed to me for the same purpose and I will make books which I will then try to mass produce artfully--I pledge to do my best to send them out barring all quicksilver and catastrophe. I'd like to make the deadline soon: April1st, 2006--Recent Fluxus Poetry-- An rfp for rfp-- is this too bold to attempt? Who knows, she is talking to herself on fluxlist again. Mr. Bennett--here's to your scum tide--enjoyed your reading on FLUXUS ANTHOLOGY 2005 - Original Message - From: John M. Bennett To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 2:12 PM Subject: FLUXLIST: Scum Tide Scum Tidepus, woodclodfragile hilltaut it,seaJohn M. BennettRained on by Ivan Arguelles __Dr. John M. BennettCurator, Avant Writing CollectionRare Books Manuscripts LibraryThe Ohio State University Libraries1858 Neil Av MallColumbus, OH 43210 USA(614) 292-3029[EMAIL PROTECTED]www.johnmbennett.net___
