Manfred Montwé took this portrait of Nam June Paik in Paik’s first solo show, Exposition of Music — Electronic Television held at Galerie Parnass, Wuppertal, in March 1963. Above the staircase leading from the front hall where Klavier Intégral was displayed, one could look down at the hall and see what was going on. On the stairs, plastic bottles were placed in disarray that made noises when stepped on, along with telephones by which visitors could make a phone call. The stairs with different “objets sonores” installed were a place where Paik, the staff members, and the audience could sit, chat, and look 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. We can see both aspects of his attitude by comparing this photograph that shows the artist lost in thought sitting on the steps, with the other picture that shows Paik mingling with people.
