LG x Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative - 2026 Award Recipient, Trevor Paglen

L G G u g g e n h e i m A w a r d

The multi-year initiative establishes the LG Guggenheim Award, the flagship program of the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative, which recognizes one artist annually for their groundbreaking achievements in technology-based art. Administered by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, the award is juried by an international panel of distinguished museum directors, curators, scholars, and other arts professionals, with the selected artist receiving an unrestricted honorarium of $100,000.

Guggenheim New York and LG proudly announce Trevor Paglen as the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient. Past recipients of the LG Guggenheim Award are Stephanie Dinkins, Shu Lea Chang, and Ayoung Kim. One additional artist will be recognized with the LG Guggenheim Award through 2027.

2026 Award Recipient

Trevor Paglen

Trevor Paglen's practice spans photography, simulation, remote sensing, sculpture, writing, research, and engineering, all aimed at uncovering systems that often operate out of sight.

Paglen brings visibility to digitally invisible structures, helping us better understand present technologies and their underlying logic. Drawing on sustained engagements with landscape-renderings, advanced technology, and the history of photography, he reveals how power, secrecy, and surveillance influence what we see and what we overlook through digital systems. Paglen’s work is preoccupied with the formation and construction of digital images, examining alternate, evolving machinic apparatus of digitally constructed images. Paglen explores how these forms shape our understanding of reality.

In recognition of his work, Paglen received the MacArthur Fellowship in 2017 and the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Pioneer Award in 2014, honoring him as a groundbreaking investigative artist.

Since being honored with the 2018 Nam June Paik Prize, Paglen held solo exhibitions in Korea at the Nam June Paik Art Center in 2019 and at Pace Gallery Seoul in 2022. Paglen has consistently shaped contemporary discourse on technology through various collaborations with Korean art institutions and global artists. In 2024, he participated in an exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Cheongju, exploring the social and cultural impact of AI. The exhibition included works by Ayoung Kim, the 2025 LG Guggenheim Award recipient. His previous engagements also extend to a 2020 exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco with inaugural award recipient Stephanie Dinkins, and a presentation at the 2018 Gwangju Biennale alongside Shu Lea Cheang and Ayoung Kim, further highlighting the intricate relationship between technology and humanity.

"The LG Guggenheim Award creates the freedom to explore bold ideas, take risks, and even fail."

- Acceptance remarks by 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient Trevor Paglen

Major Works

Jury

We recognize Trevor Paglen as one of the most influential artists of our time.

"Paglen examines the power structures surrounding mass technologies and the exchanges they facilitate.
With the emergence of large language models and contemporary AI systems, Paglen’s practice has expanded to engage deeply with
advanced data analytics, computer vision, and the underlying architectures that shape our modes of perception.
This unwavering devotion to critical inquiry and public accountability merits recognition and support."
- Excerpt from the Jury’s comments

News

Trevor Paglen Selected as the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award Recipient
Pace Gallery, Mar 17, 2026

Trevor Paglen Wins $100,000 LG Guggenheim Award for Art and Technology
ARTnews, Mar 17, 2026

A Visual Tribute to Trevor Paglen to be Featured in the Heart of New York, London, and Seoul to Celebrate the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award
The Korea Herald, April 13, 2026

Events & Content

slide icon 2026 LG Guggenheim Award trophy

비디오 아이콘 Introductory video for 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient Trevor Paglen

Trevor Paglen, 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient

May 12, 2026 LG Guggenheim Award Winner Trevor Paglen Introduction Content

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LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative branding projected on the facade of the Guggenheim Museum in New York

May 14. LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative branding illuminated the exterior of the Guggenheim Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Guggenheim Museum facade branding celebrating Trevor Paglen, 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient

Exterior branding on the Guggenheim Museum celebrating Trevor Paglen, recipient of the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award.

slide icon LG Guggenheim Award visual identity

비디오 아이콘 LG Guggenheim Award visual identity and Guggenheim Museum exterior

Highlight content of the LG Guggenheim Award Ceremony held at the Guggenheim Museum in New York on May 14

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Trevor Paglen posing for a commemorative photo with his name projected on the Guggenheim Museum rotunda wall

Trevor Paglen, recipient of the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award, poses for a commemorative photograph beneath his name projected onto the iconic curved walls of the Guggenheim Museum.

Trevor Paglen receiving the LG Guggenheim Award trophy and congratulations

Presentation of the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award trophy to Trevor Paglen.

Trevor Paglen posing for a commemorative photo in celebration of receiving the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award

Commemorative photograph celebrating Trevor Paglen's receipt of the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award.

2026 LG Guggenheim Award ceremony held in the Guggenheim Museum rotunda

The 2026 LG Guggenheim Award Ceremony held on May 14 beneath projections of LG and Trevor Paglen's names on the iconic curved walls of the Guggenheim Museum.

2026 LG Guggenheim Award trophy

The 2026 LG Guggenheim Award trophy.

Trevor Paglen attending the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award celebration

Trevor Paglen attends the celebration honoring his receipt of the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award.

Attendees posing for a commemorative photo at the LG Guggenheim Award ceremony

Commemorative photographs taken during the LG Guggenheim Award Ceremony at the Guggenheim Museum.

LG branding and LG OLED TV illuminating the Guggenheim Museum rotunda

LG branding and LG OLED TVs illuminated the Rotunda during the celebration ceremony for the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award.

Attendees posing for a commemorative photo at the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award celebration

Commemorative photograph taken during the celebration of the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award.

Correspondents and LG employees attending the LG Guggenheim Award ceremony

LG staffs leading the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative

LG PuriCare AeroTower Objet Collection installed in the Guggenheim Museum ceremony space

The LG PuriCare AeroTower Object Collection was reimagined as an artistic installation inspired by the theme of the 2026 YCC Party, transforming the Peter B. Lewis Theater at the Guggenheim Museum into a Breathing Room on May 14.

Mariët Westermann and an LG representative viewing the LG PuriCare AeroTower Objet Collection display

Mariët Westermann, Director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation (left), and an LG representative view the LG PuriCare AeroTower Objet Collection display.

LG StanbyME installed at the LG Guggenheim Award ceremony

LG StanbyME installed at the LG Guggenheim Award Ceremony.

LG OLED TV displaying artist works in the LG Guggenheim Award ceremony space

LG OLED TVs displaying artist works at the LG Guggenheim Award Ceremony.

LG Styler Objet Collection installed in the guest experience area

LG Styler Objet Collection providing guest experiences at the LG Guggenheim Award Ceremony.

slide icon Visual for Trevor Paglen’s public program, “The Lizard People Are Here!”

비디오 아이콘 Visual identity for Trevor Paglen’s public program as the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient

slide icon Trevor Paglen answering a question at the Peter B. Lewis Theater at the Guggenheim Museum

Highlight content of Trevor Paglen’s audience engagement lecture, ‘Public Program,’ held at the Guggenheim Museum in New York on May 18.

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Trevor Paglen speaking at the Guggenheim Museum public program with “From ‘Apple’ to ‘Abomination’” in the background

Trevor Paglen delivers a lecture during the Public Program held at the Peter B. Lewis Theater at the Guggenheim Museum in New York on May 18, with his work From "Apple" to "Abomination" (2023-24) displayed in the background.

Trevor Paglen speaking at the Guggenheim Museum public program with “Image Operations” in the background

Trevor Paglen delivers a lecture with his work Image Operations (2018) displayed in the background.

Trevor Paglen presenting “The Last Pictures Artifact” at the Guggenheim Museum public program

Trevor Paglen delivers a lecture with his work The Last Pictures Artifact (2013) displayed in the background.

Trevor Paglen and Noam Segal in conversation during the Guggenheim Museum public program Q&A

Trevor Paglen and LG Electronics Associate Curator Noam Segal participate in a Q&A session during the Public Program.

Trevor Paglen answering an audience question at the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award public program

Trevor Paglen responds to audience questions during the Public Program.

LG representative delivering welcome remarks with the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative visual identity in the background

An LG representative delivers welcoming remarks before the lecture against a backdrop featuring the 2026 visual identity and key color.

Guggenheim representative introducing the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative and 2026 recipient Trevor Paglen

A Guggenheim representative introduces the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative and 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient Trevor Paglen.

LG Guggenheim Award trophy displayed at the Guggenheim Museum public program reception

The LG Guggenheim Award physical award (silver), engraved with the name of the 2026 recipient, displayed alongside its presentation case.

LG, Guggenheim, and Trevor Paglen representatives posing for a commemorative photo after the public program

Commemorative photograph following the Public Program held at the Guggenheim Museum on May 18. From left: Mariët Westermann, Director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation; Seol Park, Head of Brand, LG Corp.; Trevor Paglen, recipient of the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award; Naomi Beckwith, Deputy Director and Chief Curator, Guggenheim New York; Noam Segal, LG Electronics Associate Curator; and Louis Giagrande, Head of Marketing, LG Electronics North America.

LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative commemorative gifts provided to attendees at the public program reception

Commemorative gifts from the LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative presented to guests at the reception following the Public Program.

slide icon Introduction to Trevor Paglen’s work on AI vision and image classification

비디오 아이콘 Visual identity for Trevor Paglen, 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient

slide icon Jury statement introducing Trevor Paglen, 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient

Highlights of Trevor Paglen's Artistic Practice

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Trevor Paglen greeting attendees during a media interview at the Guggenheim Museum in New York

Trevor Paglen greets attendees during a media interview session on May 14.

Trevor Paglen filming a media interview with the LG Guggenheim Award trophy in the background

Trevor Paglen poses for a photograph during a media interview session with the LG Guggenheim Award trophy in the background.

Trevor Paglen, 2026 LG Guggenheim Award recipient, during a media interview at the Guggenheim Museum in New York

Trevor Paglen participates in a media interview.

slide icon Trevor Paglen’s LG Guggenheim Award celebration video displayed on a Times Square billboard in New York

비디오 아이콘 Trevor Paglen’s LG Guggenheim Award celebration video displayed on a Piccadilly Circus billboard in London

slide icon Trevor Paglen’s LG Guggenheim Award celebration video displayed on a Gwanghwamun Square billboard in Seoul

Interview content with the 2026 LG Guggenheim Award winners held at the Guggenheim Museum in New York on May 14

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비디오 아이콘 2026 LG Guggenheim Award visual identity

slide icon LG Guggenheim visual identity as a living design system that grows and evolves over time

Content capturing the Visual Identity story of the LG Guggenheim Art & Tech Partnership

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Physical Award

In conceptualizing the physical award, we drew inspiration from digital zero and one — the elemental foundation of information science and computing. Just as this profoundly simple construct made possible technological wonders such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence, in this design the digits "1" and "0" are captured in midst of active interaction, anticipating new and unexpected artforms that digital technology can bring to the art of the Future.