Nam June Paik's Electronic Opera #1

Dowling, Susan

In Nam June Paik's "Electronic Opera #1," a topless dancer and three hippies have their images manipulated and distorted, saturated with additional color. Richard Nixon and other well-known figures are twisted up. Voiceovers issue commands to the audience: "This is participation TV." Paik instructs the viewers to close and open their eyes at certain intervals. Just when it appears the work is "ºabout to start over again from the beginning, the voice implores viewers, "Turn off your TV set." Approximate date: 1969