Multimedia: For NYC Public School Students, Nam June Paik Inspires Robots and Prototype Suits

May 19th, 2015
“This robot can morph into anything ... and has the power of invisibility, x-ray vision, spikes, and telekinetic powers.” (Detail of 4-2 D-2 by P.S. 297, Brooklyn. Photo: Tahiat Mahboob)
“Our robot speaks all languages, saves the world, never dies, and has moves like Jagger ... He also eats bullets and metal ... He can tell folk tales, is a fast runner, and is quick like a spy or ninja.” (Detail of Robot: Schooler 4-1 by P.S. 297, Brooklyn. Photo: Tahiat Mahboob)
“These suits combine the technology of your smart phone, GPS, iPad, and many other devices in one suit that your body controls.” (Detail of Futuristic Prototype Suit 87 – Type 1, 2, 3, & 4 by PS. 87, Bronx. Photo: Tahiat Mahboob)
“FPS87X can do anything else that your computer or smart phone can do, only better.” (Detail of Futuristic Prototype Suit 87 – Type 1, 2, 3, & 4 by PS. 87, Bronx. Photo: Tahiat Mahboob)
“The tube arms are for hugging.” (Detail of Mom from Robot Family Sculptures by P.S. 75, Manhattan. Photo: Tahiat Mahboob)
“We were inspired by the antennae and the televisions Nam June Paik used for his robots.” (Detail of Dad from Robot Family Sculptures by P.S. 75, Manhattan. Photo: Tahiat Mahboob)
“Lots of kids love playing games so we added a headset, keyboard, controller, and computer mouses.” (Detail of Sister from Robot Family Sculptures by P.S. 75, Manhattan. Photo: Tahiat Mahboob)
“A baby is small and round, like a basketball.” (Baby from Robot Family Sculptures by P.S. 75, Manhattan. Photo: Tahiat Mahboob)
“We decided to make a tree that shows the history of phones, starting from the first phone (the tin-can phone) and ending with the latest phone in the twenty-first century (the iPhone 6+).” (Detail of The Phony Tree by P.S. 182, Bronx. Photo: Tahiat Mahboob)
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An electronic suit with climate control, a telekinetic robot, and a robot that saves the world from pollution all make appearances in the upcoming Asia Society exhibition Inspired by Nam June Paik: Becoming Robot, which casts a vision for the future through the lens of elementary students from New York City.

Through a unique partnership between Asia Society and the arts education nonprofit Studio in a School, students from four New York City public schools visited Asia Society Museum in fall 2014 for a tour of the exhibition Nam June Paik: Becoming Robot, after which they returned to their classrooms to create works in response. Nam June Paik is considered the “father of video art,” and he is known for his groundbreaking use of video technology to explore the human condition. Nam June Paik: Becoming Robot was the first New York City exhibition dedicated exclusively to the artist in more than a decade.

In the student exhibition, the featured pieces incorporate ordinary household items, including electronic speakers, plastic wrap, a computer keyboard, and a basketball. But there is nothing ordinary about the capabilities the students have attributed to their artwork.

Students from P.S. 297 in Brooklyn devised superpowers for their robots: “This robot can morph into anything, is faster than lightning, and has the power of invisibility, x-ray vision, spikes, and telekinetic powers.”

Meanwhile, students from P.S. 87 in Bronx developed an extensive list of features for the futuristic prototype suits they created: “Each FPS87X type features different functions that can help you in your everyday life, including hovercraft shoes, a stomach device that heats meals, a lie detector, a personal safety system, body temperature control, outfit changing technology to match changes in the weather, and time travel capabilities.” 

Video: New York Students 'Inspired By' Studio in a School project  (3 min., 33 sec.)

Inspired by Nam June Paik: Becoming Robot opens today, Tuesday, May 19, which also marks Asia Society’s observance of International Museum Day, organized by the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD). Visitors on May 19 receive passes for a free return visit during our exhibition DE/CONSTRUCTING CHINA: Selections from the Asia Society Museum Collection. To learn more about the International Museum Day program, visit the event page. 

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About the Author

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Tim Lau is a Content Producer at Asia Society. He is a New Jersey native and has also lived in Greater Chicago and Washington, DC.