Nam June Paik (1932~2006) was a pioneer media artist who applied television, video, satellite television, laser, and other technology to his experimental and creative artwork. Promoting global communication and encounters through art, Paik has been dubbed "a leading artist who was a scientist, a philosopher, and an engineer" and "a true, gifted genius and a futurist with great foresight." The Nam June Paik Art Center opened in October 2008 in honor of Paik's spirit of openness, diversification, and harmony. As Paik mentioned, it was built to be his permanent home, researching and building on his ideals and artistic activities.