Paik Nam-june's 'More the Better' Restarted After 4 Years... 6-Month Test Operation

Nam June Paik's 'More the Better'.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art announced on the 20th that it has completed the basic preservation and restoration process of Nam June Paik's large-scale installation artwork "Dadaikseon" (1988) and will conduct a six-month trial operation.

"Dadaikseon" is a symbolic work planned and produced in 1988 to coincide with national events such as the Seoul Olympics, tailored to the architectural characteristics of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon. It is the largest among Nam June Paik's works utilizing 1,003 cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors. The monitors were completely replaced in 2003, and repairs have been repeated for about 30 years until operations were halted in February 2018 for comprehensive preservation and restoration.

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art established a "Three-Year Preservation and Restoration Plan for Dadaikseon" in September 2019 after expert consultations. After discussions, it was decided to maintain the original form of the work as much as possible, but to introduce some replaceable display technologies when unavoidable. Accordingly, the preservation and restoration project for "Dadaikseon" has been underway since 2020. The museum considered the general maintenance completed and restarted "Dadaikseon" on the 17th.

Through this trial operation, the museum plans to closely inspect the degree of aging of the artwork according to operating hours and prepare a mid- to long-term operation plan to stably maintain the lifespan of "Dadaikseon."

The trial operation will be conducted in three phases over six months. The first phase will be held on weekdays until March 18. From January 17 to 28, it will operate for two hours from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., then gradually extend by two hours every two weeks, reaching eight hours of operation from March 7 to 18. The schedules for the second and third trial operations will be announced later.

The appearance of 'Dadaikseon' when it was first revealed to the public in 1988.

So far, a detailed diagnosis of all cathode-ray tube (CRT) monitors and power supplies has been conducted, followed by repair and replacement using secondhand parts. CRT monitors that can no longer be used were replaced with new flat-panel displays (LCDs) that maintain the original monitor's appearance after technical review. Additionally, cooling facilities and other preservation environments were improved, and the eight types of videos used in the artwork were digitally converted and restored to ensure permanent preservation.

As more than 30 years have passed since the installation of "Dadaikseon," production of related equipment has been discontinued, and secondhand parts are running out. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art procured high-quality secondhand parts in cooperation with domestic and international experts and related organizations to maintain the original form as much as possible. However, the secondhand parts used for repairs were produced several years to decades ago and may reach the end of their lifespan at any time. Therefore, the museum plans to review adjustments to daily operating hours in addition to preservation and restoration work to ensure stable operation of "Dadaikseon."

Yun Beom-mo, director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, said, "'Dadaikseon' is a symbol of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Gwacheon and a cultural heritage of the Republic of Korea. Managing the lifespan of the artwork is essential for it to remain established for a long time." He added, "As the custodian institution of 'Dadaikseon,' we will carry out the three-year preservation and restoration plan diligently in cooperation with various experts and organizations with a sense of mission and responsibility."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.