9/23/69: Experiment with David Atwood

About This Movie

9/23/69: Experiment with David Atwood is one of those pieces that just sits at the intersection of chaos and creativity. You can really feel Paik's experimentation with video art and electronic media, right in the heart of his WGBH residency. The pacing has this erratic vibe; it’s almost frenetic but also somehow meditative, if that makes sense. The visuals create an atmosphere that’s both disorienting and captivating. You see how he plays with the medium, transforming the screen into a canvas, layering images in ways that feel spontaneous yet intentional. It’s distinct, for sure, and it gives you a real taste of the avant-garde spirit of the time.

This film is part of the early video art movement, and it’s relatively scarce in collector circles; not a lot of prints floating around. Given its experimental nature, it’s not the easiest watch, but that’s what makes it fascinating. Many collectors are drawn to its historical significance and the way it encapsulates the spirit of late 60s avant-garde art. If you find a copy, you’re looking at something that’s not just a film but a piece of art history.