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Special

Keeping Video Art Alive With C.T. Lui

Premiere: 6/9/2023 | 8:24 |

Electrical engineer and technician Chi-Tien Lui is one of the only living experts on cathode-ray tube (CRT) television technology, and he has been solely responsible for restoring most of Nam June Paik's video art over the years. As he nears retirement, Lui looks to pass his knowledge on to future generations.

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About the Series

Before there were sleek flatscreen TVs and OLED devices, there were CRTs, or cathode-ray tubes. CRT televisions were a fixture of Korean-American artist Nam June Paik‘s video art. Electrical engineer and technician Chi-Tien Lui is one of the only living experts on the restoration of CRT technology, and he has been solely responsible for restoring much of Paik’s video art over the years.

C.T. Lui has been working with Nam June Paik since 1968 and in partnership with Raphaele Shirley since 2005 on the restoration of his works. As he nears retirement, Lui looks to pass his knowledge on to future generations. New York-based artist Taezoo Park now works under Lui’s tutelage to ensure the future legacy of his restoration practice.

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"Newness is more important than beauty."
PRODUCTION CREDITS

Keeping Video Art Alive With C.T. Lui was produced by Diana Chan, Martin Anderson and Joe Skinner. Edited by Martin Anderson and Diana Chan. Executive produced by Michael Kantor. Additional production assistance provided by Iyare Osarogiagbon and Manny Santiago. Special thanks to Cristiana Lombardo and Chris Wilson.

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