Dimensions / 30.4×40.2cm
Medium / Black & white photograph on baryta paper

Taken by Manfred Montwé, there are two photographic portraits of Nam June Paik in his first solo show Exposition of Music – Electronic Television held in Galerie Parnass in Wuppertal in March 1963. When you walked up the staircase from the front hall where Klavier Integral was displayed, you could look down along the encircling banister what was going on with other visitors at the hall. On the staircase, plastic bottles were placed in disarray, and if stepped on, they would be crushed to make some noise. There were telephones by which visitors could make a phone call or simply a dialog. The stairs with different “objets sonores” installed were a good place where Paik, the staff members, and the audiences sat together, had a chat, or looked around the exhibition. It was in his typically leisurely but very scrupulous ways that Paik directed the exhibition, allowing free and improvisational participation while ensuring detailed and meticulous coordination. One photograph shows Paik mingling with people, the other, him lost in thought sitting on the steps, and in the contrasting facial looks, we can see both aspects of his attitude.