Crimean Tatar | Nam June Paik

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Crimean Tatar

1993

Paik imagined a future landscape where technology is an integral part of the natural world. Placing TV sets alongside live plants, he creates an environment in which the seemingly distinct realms of electronics and nature coexist. His approach follows a Buddhist philosophy that everything is interdependent. It also suggests that technology is not in conflict with nature  but an extension of the human realm.

Anonymous Crimean Tatar
who Saved Life of
Joseph Beuys - Not yet
Thanked by German Folks

1993

Anonymous Crimean Tatar
who Saved Life of
Joseph Beuys - Not yet
Thanked by German Folks

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A piece inspired by the tribesmen
who rescued Paik’s friend and
collaborator – Joseph Beuys.

Anonymous
Crimean Tatar
who Saved Life
of Joseph Beuys
- Not yet
Thanked by
German Folks

A piece inspired by the
tribesmen who rescued
Paik’s friend and
collaborator – Joseph Beuys.

Anonymous Crimean Tatar
who Saved Life of
Joseph Beuys - Not yet
Thanked by German Folks

During World War 2,
Beuys was stationed
in the Crimea as part
of a combat bomber unit.
While on service, his
planecrashed and Beuys
claimed that he was
saved by nomadic Tartar
tribesmen.

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During World War 2, Beuys was
stationed in the Crimea as
part of a combat bomber unit.
While on service, his plane
crashed and Beuys claimed that
he was saved by nomadic Tartar
tribesmen.

While the story was not verified, it became the basis of
Beuys' art and inspired Paik to represent his friend and
their shared interest in bridging the East and the West,
man and nature, and the scientific and the spiritual.

While the story was
not verified, it became
the basis of Beuys' art
and inspired Paik to
represent his friend and
their shared interest in
bridging the East and the
West, man and nature, and
the scientific and the
spiritual.

Continue exploring

While the story was not verified, it became the basis of Beuys'
art and inspired Paik to represent his friend and their shared
interest in bridging the East and the West, man and nature, and
the scientific and the spiritual.

Continue exploring

It’s composed of
first-generation electrical
equipment and a defunct sankyo
motorbike, with it’s face
illuminated by the glow of 2
circular lights.

It’s composed of first-generation
electrical equipment and a defunct
sankyo motorbike, with it’s face
illuminated by the glow of 2
circular lights.

Continue exploring

"There is no rewind button on the BETAMAX
of life."
-Nam June Paik, 1984

"There is no rewind
button on the BETAMAX
of life."
-Nam June Paik, 1984

Learn more about the artwork

Anonymous Crimean Tatar who
Saved Life of Joseph Beuys -
Not yet Thanked by German Folks

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Anonymous Crimean Tatar
who Saved Life of Joseph
Beuys - Not yet Thanked by
German Folks

the future is now

Nam June Paik, Anonymous Crimean Tatar who Saved Life of Joseph Beuys Not yet Thanked by German Folks, 1993. Found electrical parts, metal, headlights, rope and wooden cart. Collection of John Chia and Cheryl Loh

the future is now