Wrap Around the World

1988, 47 min, color, sound

This spectacular satellite link-up, coordinated by Paik, connected the United States, Brazil, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan and numerous other countries. David Bowie performs with La, La, La, Human Steps, and carries out a conversation via satellite with Japanese musician Ryuichi Sacamoto, who also performs. There are also appearances by Merce Cunningham, the Viennese Art Orchestra, a game of elephant soccer in Thailand and a car race in Ireland. The whole event is held together by Paik's video graphics, which includes one of his stacked television sculptures.

A Production of WNET/USA and KBS/Korea, in association with NDR/WDR/Germany; ORF/Austria; GloboTV/Brazil; Gosteleradio/USSR; CCTV/China; RAI/Italy; TV Asahi/Japan; April Media/Israel; RTE/Dublin, and Nam June Paik Video Design. Editor of single-channel version: Skip Blumberg.

 
 

PLEASE NOTE: Allow extra lead-in time if you are planning a public screening or exhibition of Nam June Paik's single screen video works. All such orders must be forwarded by EAI to the Paik Studio for their agreement before any event can be confirmed.

 
 

See also