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The Deinstallation of Brooks Museum’s Vide-O-belisk

On Monday, February 1, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art began the week-long process of deinstalling Nam June Paik’s Vide-O-belisk.

For the first time since the sculpture was installed at the Brooks, it will receive a thorough conservation assessment as part of our role as stewards of great works of art through proper care and conservation. 

While it is under review, the space will be used for a new series of exhibitions called “Rotunda Projects.” More details about those projects will be announced soon! 

Vide-O-belisk comprises vintage televisions, neon signs, and videos featuring works from the museum’s permanent collection, Egyptian iconography, and Elvis. It also breaks down into 24 constituent parts. 

Vide-O-belisk was commissioned by the museum with funds from the Morrie A. Moss Acquisition Fund, the Hohenberg Foundation, Wil and Sally Hergenrader, and the Bodine Company, 

Paik, known as the father of video art, created this iconic sculpture in 2002, which and has graced the museum’s Dunavant Rotunda for the last 13 years.

Watch this time-lapse video of Vide-O-belisk's deinstallation set to “TV Tower” by Human Being. Listen to more music from the Paik Sessions here.



Here is a daily breakdown of the deinstallation process:

Day 1 - Deinstallation and packing of the neon lights from the cabinets and the panels.
Day 2 - Deinstallation and packing of the neon lights from the cabinets and the panels.
Day 3 - Boxes were constructed store the televisions, cords, and other pieces.
Day 4 - The top three levels of cabinets and television were removed.
Day 5 - The bottom three levels of cabinets and television were removed and wrapped up for storage.

Share your favorite photos of Paik’s Vide-O-belisk with us using the hashtag #BrooksMuseum.

Click here to look through our Flickr album.

truetrue