Untitled (TVS) 1982

Nam June Paik made these sketches of TVs on paper with pen in an unknown year. Paik was deeply engaged with the possibilities of television, but also its social implications. These simple drawings reflect that tension. The marks are quick, like a fleeting thought jotted down. But each TV is different; some are neatly outlined, others are a mess of lines. Note the antennae, like disheveled hair. With a few strokes, Paik suggests the ubiquitous presence of the TV set. The tool, and the labor it delivers, from entertainment to news, is everywhere. In this way, the sketches are a kind of instant commentary. It emphasizes the way that television has been internalized, a constant presence that is at once familiar, and a bit chaotic. In the end, Paik's rough drawing makes us reconsider the impact and proliferation of television in contemporary life.