Untitled (Zen TV) 1977

This spontaneous ink drawing, ‘Untitled (Zen TV)’ was made by Nam June Paik, but we don’t know exactly when. The thing that grabs me about this image is how Paik uses a few gestural marks to conjure both a television set and a meditative state. With just a square, a couple of lines for the antenna, and some abstract scribbles he manages to distill the essence of technology and spirituality. I wonder what he was thinking when he made it? Was it a commentary on the pervasive influence of media, or a genuine attempt to find harmony between the digital and the contemplative? The simplicity of the brushstrokes is really deceptive - each line feels purposeful, like a calligraphic gesture imbued with meaning. It reminds me a little bit of Cy Twombly, in the way he uses scribbles to suggest more than they literally depict. This piece speaks to how artists are constantly borrowing and building upon each other’s ideas. Paik, like many others, was inspired by the work of artists who came before him, and in turn, his work continues to inspire new generations of artists. It’s a constant conversation.