[Interview] Saatchi Art and Samsung The Frame Art Store Take Virtual Art to a Next Level
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By Samsung Newsroom
Throughout their years of collaboration, Samsung Art Store and Tate have worked together to make art more accessible to consumers worldwide. As a result, users of The Frame can put works from Tate’s extensive collection on display within their own homes. The two have worked together since 2018 to leverage the Art Store platform to bring culture into the homes of users around the world, and to enrich users’ lives.
▲ Tate Britain
Samsung Newsroom sat down with Rosey Blackmore, Licensing and Merchandise Director at Tate, to discuss technology’s impact on our art experiences and on art accessibility, among other topics. Read on to find out more.
Years of Collaboration Bringing Art Into the Home
Q: Tell us a bit about your role at Tate and your experience working with Samsung Art Store.
I’m responsible for our licensing and merchandise at Tate, where our team creates and licenses products featuring art from Tate’s collection. Our gallery spaces are free to visit, and all income that we generate helps make that possible, so it’s a very satisfying role.
We’ve been really delighted to work with Samsung on their Art Store. Our mission at Tate is to enable the public to enjoy art, so this project contributes to that. As the Art Store has grown in popularity, we have been really interested to see which images are the most viewed, and to refresh and add new art to the selection available in light of those trends we see.
Q: How are pieces from the Tate’s expansive collection chosen for The Frame?
It’s difficult, as we have so many to choose from! There are more than 80,000 works in Tate’s collection, but we try and select those that we feel people will enjoy living with, as well as some that are very familiar.
Q: Have you noticed any interesting trends over the years in what pieces users are most attracted to in Samsung’s Art Store?
Yes, we really have. For example, one of the most popular works is Arenig, North Wales by James Dickson Innes, who isn’t a very well- known artist, but this is a particularly gorgeous work of a mountain viewed from across a lake and has beautiful violet hues. So, I imagine it brings a sense of calm to those who choose to display it on The Frame.
▲ Arenig, North Wales by James Dickson Innes
Engaging a Diverse Audience Through Art
Q: What work has Tate done recently to build upon its vision to engage diverse audiences and help develop individual creative potential? Why is this part of Tate’s mission?
Engaging a more diverse audience is absolutely at the heart of the work that we are doing at Tate. It’s something that we are passionate about because it reflects our belief that art enriches lives, and that everyone has the right to that experience. For many years now, we have been ensuring that the art we collect and exhibit represents as diverse a range of backgrounds and experiences as possible. At Tate Modern, 50% of our program features art created by women, and at Tate Britain the same is true of our contemporary displays and exhibitions.
Because of our fundamental belief that art enriches lives, Tate also offers an extensive range of free family programs throughout the year, aimed at encouraging children to be creative
Q: In your opinion, how has Tate leveraged The Frame and Art Store to further support its mission for engaging an inclusive and diverse audience?
We love that Samsung’s Art Store enables more people to access our collection and broadens the number of people enjoying art. And, perhaps some will become curious about the artworks they are seeing and choose to find out more about them too. That directly supports our mission to encourage both the enjoyment and understanding of art across diverse audiences.
Q: Out of the works of art selected for the Art Store, which three would you recommend users display on The Frame?
My first suggestion of the three artworks from the Art Store would be the very beautiful Abstract Composition by Jessica Dismorr, for its subtle and calm color palette.
▲ Abstract Composition by Jessica Dismorr
The second would be Blue House on the Shore by Paul Nash, as it’s a wonderfully enigmatic and romantic image.
▲ Blue House on the Shore by Paul Nash
And finally, a very personal choice which is Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent, as this is a painting that I’ve loved since I first visited Tate as a teenager, and I still find it as extraordinary now as I did then. When you walk into the gallery where the picture hangs, the painted lanterns somehow seem to light the room, and The Frame would recreate that magical experience.
▲ Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent
Leveraging Technology To Enhance Human Experiences
Q: In what ways has Tate leveraged technology to provide an enhanced visitor experience at the museum?
A good example is ‘Tate Draw’ where children can use special software and screens in the galleries to create their own artworks inspired by Tate’s collection, with their finished designs projected on the walls. Technology is expanding the ways in which we can all be creative.
Q: Do you anticipate any implications that technology will have on the art world?
Technology is undoubtedly affecting all aspects of our lives, and we need to embrace it.
There’s no doubt that technological advancements will have profound effects on the way that we access and experience art. Tate is always considering how we can reduce the carbon footprint of our activities— technology may offer interesting opportunities for this in the future, such as digital experiences of art rather than shipping the original artworks.
Q: Are there any upcoming events or special activities Tate has planned that you can tell us about?
Tate’s exhibition programme always strives to offer a diverse range of content and this autumn is no exception! At Tate Britain, women are taking centre-stage with a major survey exhibition of the humorous and irreverent work of Sarah Lucas as well as a group show exploring the radical work of feminist artists working in Britain during the 1970s and 80s.
▲ Tate Modern
At Tate Modern, artists from across the African continent are a key focus, with this year’s annual new commission for the gallery’s iconic Turbine Hall being created by Ghanian artist El Anatsui. A major survey of contemporary photography by artists working across Africa and its diaspora remains on show until the new year, joined by a retrospective of Philip Guston, one of the most influential and important American painters of the 20th century.
▲ Tate Liverpool
Down at Tate St Ives, visitors can continue to enjoy a revelatory group exhibition exploring the experimental paintings made by artists working in Casablanca during the 1960s and 70s, while Tate Liverpool will embark on an exciting new program in collaboration with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The partnership will see a range of new exhibitions and events staged at RIBA’s building at Mann Island in Liverpool during the gallery’s temporary closure period for redevelopment, due to be completed in autumn 2025.
▲ Tate St. Ives
Visit Samsung Art Store in The Frame to see more of Tate’s collection.
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By Samsung Newsroom
Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic is an award-winning, multidisciplinary artist whose work has been recognized and displayed in prestigious institutions and venues such as The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Art Basel Miami Beach and even the White House. His inspiration stems from a diverse cross-section of cultures — embracing a wide variety of mediums from fashion and film to live art performances and beyond.
His unique artistry exists at the junction where art and technology meet, and he considers the history and evolution of the two as inseparable. He sees technology as a transformative force — one that has expanded and will continue to broaden the art world — opening new opportunities and encouraging artists to reimagine and refine their work. Samsung Newsroom sat down with Aerosyn-Lex to discuss his journey as an artist and how technology has become interwoven into his work.
▲ Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic
Early Encounters With Multicultural Inspirations
Q: Can you provide a brief overview of your artistic journey?
I’ve been a life-long artist and creative. Art and design are core elements of my self-identity. I studied art from an early age and never stopped using creativity as my primary means of communication. I’m thankful that my artwork and designs have been recognized by some of the biggest institutions and brands in the world, and I’m excited for what’s to come!
Q: Your early influences present a fascinating blend of various cultures, including Japanese calligraphy, Latin script, graffiti and Slavic mysticism. How did you encounter and choose to incorporate these distinctive elements into your artwork?
Early on in life, I was exposed to calligraphy through a course I took during a summer vacation. For some reason, the act of writing and all its cultural variations stuck with me. Be it Japanese calligraphy or Western scripts, writing really became a huge influence on all my works. I think there is great power in the written word, and those words can take on any shape.
Q: How do you incorporate diverse cultural perspectives into your art? How does that resonate with audiences across the world?
Growing up as an immigrant in the United States in a culturally diverse area helped shape my identity. I’ve been fortunate to travel the world through my work, and I strive to translate those experiences through my artwork. My goal is to connect with people on a subconscious level, regardless of their background.
Q: What inspires you to keep pushing your artistic boundaries?
I’m thoroughly inspired by evolving technologies and their ability to reach larger scales and audiences globally. Having worked across various global markets and diverse industries, my goal is to share my work with the world, aiming to leave a lasting legacy.
Exploring the Entire Range of Artistic Mediums and Projects
Q: Can you recount a project that pushed you beyond your comfort zone?
I was commissioned to direct my first short film “SCRIPTURA VITAE” many years ago for the BBC and Channel 4 in the U.K. This began as a simple concept, but it turned into one of the most life-changing projects I’ve ever worked on. I had to teach myself filmmaking whilst making the actual film! This single work really set the stage for many of my major projects that followed.
Q: Your extensive portfolio spans across pop culture, fashion, technology and more. What inspires your choice of medium for different projects?
My process varies greatly depending on the project. From designing fashion collections to crafting live art performances for Carnegie Hall, the medium follows the concept. There’s no single approach that works for all those varied applications of creativity.
I look at each project individually and try to figure out the best way to craft a memorable and emotionally moving work or performance. I always begin by thinking of a concept for a piece before attempting to work out the best way to represent that.
Q: You’ve collaborated with cultural icons and brands such as Jeff Koons, Nike and Mr. Children, and your art has been exhibited at renowned venues around the world. How have these experiences shaped you?
Those are definitely some of my “greatest hits” and they certainly have instilled confidence and motivation to push the limits of my work. However, the art industry can be a fickle and fast-changing landscape to navigate. Nothing is guaranteed in the career of an artist — to sustain artistic relevance, one must constantly push forward to redefine oneself.
▲ An interview with Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic
Connecting Artists and Audiences Through The Frame and Samsung Art Store
Q: How has your experience been partnering with Samsung Art Store?
It has been truly amazing. I was thrilled to have so many acquaintances and new supporters reach out and mention that they’d seen my work on the Art Store. It’s such a wonderful platform, and I’m excited to continue crafting and creating work for it!
I truly appreciate brands that understand the value of art and genuinely seek to support artists and their artwork. The art market has seen a seismic shift in the past few years, and I believe it takes large players to come up with innovative ideas for new platforms and ways of interacting with broad audiences. I think Samsung is doing just that in a unique way.
Q: Can you tell us about the technique behind your signature ethereal ink paintings? How do they appear on The Frame?
My work is created in a fully practical, non-digital technique that I developed over years of experimentation. These works began with my film “SCRIPTURA VITAE” and were then exhibited at The MoMA. I love how my work is presented on The Frame — having them live inside people’s homes now is a great feeling. The Frame’s aesthetic and calibration just make everything pop!
Q: Can you recommend three of your favorite pieces available on the Art Store?
The beauty of the Art Store is that you can change the artwork based on your mood. Some of my favorites are below, but check them all out! There will be more coming soon, so please keep an eye out!
▲ CHROMIS IOMELAS MMXXI (2021)
CHROMIS IOMELAS MMXXI (2021) is from my “Living Paintings” series, which embodies the fluidity and movement in my process.
▲ VERSALIS DRIP MMXXII (2022)
VERSALIS DRIP MMXXII (2022) is a playful use of paint as a painting. This work is taken from a newer series of work which was initially created as 60FT (20 meter) Murals for the Wynwood Arts District in Miami, Florida. The concept was to create a dynamic representation of fluid paint but play with the scale of the artwork which would be represented in the context of Trompe L’oeil.
▲ VERSAEL BRUSH MMXXI (2021)
VERSAEL BRUSH MMXXI (2021) introduces meticulous calligraphy which looks incredible in the crisp 4k of The Frame. This piece speaks to my long standing passion from calligraphy and the written word. These large paintings are steeped in multicultural symbology and seek to find beauty in the pattern and rhythm of the calligraphic strokes and lettering used within the artwork.
Pushing the Boundaries of Art With Technology
Q: Your work often blends art with various forms of technology. How do you see this intersection shaping the future of art?
The history of art cannot be separated from the progression of technology. Their stories are intertwined infinitely. As a huge tech nerd, technology is a space that I find endlessly fascinating and inspiring.
We’re certainly moving into a radically new age with the proliferation of artificial intelligence, and I’m excited to participate in pushing creative methods forward with technology. I am truly looking forward to working on projects in this space, and I’m thrilled to combine them with the practices I’ve developed over my career.
Q: Can you give us a sneak peek at some of the projects you are working on?
I’m excited to be working on major projects across various metropolitan cities including Tokyo, New York City, Los Angeles, Riyadh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These projects range from large-scale installations for major hotels to huge digital art installations in completely new city centers.
I’m working on some new projects in the gaming space as well, which I’m thrilled about since I’m an avid gamer. I am also launching my own collection of luxury Japanese whisky, sake, shochu and wine this year with the award-winning Japanese distillery, Nishi Shuzo. Lastly, I’m looking to establish a large art studio in Los Angeles.
I have a lot going on at the moment, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Visit Samsung Art Store in The Frame to see more of Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic’s collection.
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By Samsung Newsroom
Samsung Electronics today announced it is welcoming 12 of Salvador Dalí’s most striking masterpieces to Samsung Art Store1 in partnership with the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, the private cultural institution founded by the painter himself with the mission of promoting his artistic, cultural and intellectual works in Spain and abroad.
Salvador Dalí is globally recognized for his surrealist style characterized by dreamlike imagery, mind-bending illusions and meticulous attention to detail, which made him one of the most enduring and enigmatic artists of the last 100 years. With paintings that invite the viewer to step closer and examine unexpected interplay between the bizarre and mundane, Dalí has been captivating audiences since his first work was displayed in Barcelona, Spain in 1925.
“This partnership with Samsung gives the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí a global stage for sharing Dalí’s dynamic masterpieces and legacy with an entirely new, digitally native generation,” said Andrea Fisher-Scherer, Managing Director of Merchandise Licensing at Artists Rights Society, the organization that helped secure an agreement between Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí and Samsung. “These pieces, selected especially in partnership with Samsung Art Store, allow us to show off Dalí’s most striking masterpieces and the stunning display The Frame is capable of.”
The featured works — including some of the artist’s most notable pieces like “The Persistence of Memory” (1931), “The Temptation of St. Anthony” (1946) and “Swans Reflecting Elephants” (1937) — have been curated by Samsung and sourced from the Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí as well as other leading global institutions and private collections.
Dalí, born in the Catalonian town of Figueres in northeast Spain spent much of his life in that region, creating groundbreaking artworks which would go on to inspire artists and viewers alike for generations. But Dalí always aspired to share his artistic vision with a much wider audience, bringing his striking, surrealist paintings to exhibitions in Paris, London and New York — and simultaneously seeking creative inspiration and collaboration with world-renowned artists and intellectuals of his time including Coco Chanel, Sigmund Freud and Pablo Picasso, among others.
In honor of Dalí’s international legacy and the high demand for Dalí artworks on the Samsung Art Store, Samsung recognized the importance of securing this all-important partnership for lovers of art across the globe. Similarly, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí is expanding how they can provide instant, digital access to some of Dalí’s most artistically significant artworks to millions with this special partnership.
“Samsung Art Store connects millions of The Frame owners with world-renowned art from hundreds of museums, institutions and private collections across the world, and we’re thrilled to partner with Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí to bring the platform’s most searched-for and requested artist to Samsung Art Store,” said Daria Greene, Global Curator at Samsung Art Store. “These artworks from Dalí’s incredible catalog are as unique and visually arresting today as they were the day they were painted, and we’re so delighted to be giving them a digital platform for new audiences who can enjoy them outside of a museum and right from a home.”
“One of his greatest desires was to be known and that his art arrived to a wider audience,” said Clàudia Galli, Art Historian at Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí. “Dalí would be really impressed to be in people’s homes.”
Alongside these new pieces from Dalí, viewers can explore thousands of additional artworks from masters such as Claude Monet, Johannes Vermeer and Julia Contacessi in the Samsung Art Store, available for instant display on The Frame. Additionally, Samsung Art Store features art from major global institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the National Gallery Singapore, the Belvedere Museum in Vienna, the Prado Museum in Madrid and the Berlin State Museums.
To honor Dalí’s arrival on the Art Store, a short documentary celebrating his life and work will be launched on August 8 as part of Samsung’s “Meet the Artist” video series. Watch the full “Meet the Artist: Salvador Dalí” documentary here.
1 A single user subscription for Art Store costs $4.99/month or $49.99/year.
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By Samsung Newsroom
Samsung Art Store continues to draw the attention of art enthusiasts worldwide, offering an expansive collection of impressive artwork and photos directly to their homes. Among the many distinguished artists featured on the platform, Wolf Ademeit has earned a special place in the hearts of Art Store visitors for his renowned black-and-white animal photos.
Since partnering with Samsung Art Store in 2017, Ademeit has quickly become one of the platform’s most beloved photographers. Samsung Newsroom sat down with Ademeit to discuss the photographer’s distinct approach to animal photography, his commitment to authenticity and creativity and his collaboration with Samsung Art Store.
▲ Wolf Ademeit
Behind the Lens: An Exploration of Wolf Ademeit’s Approach to Animal Photography
Q: What attracted you to photography? Give us a brief overview of your journey as an artist.
I came across photography as a child. I started by capturing my friends with my dad’s 6×6 camera. During lithography training, I worked with professional photographers and discovered monochrome photography – perhaps, this experience inspired me to pursue black-and-white photography.
My artistic style hasn’t changed much throughout my career. The biggest evolution has been that I have started to take color photos for my “Art of Animals” series since I realized color is fundamental to fully capturing some animals.
Q: What influenced your interest in animal photography? What messages or emotions do you look to convey?
While my background is in portraits, I decided to visit a zoo when I was testing my 500mm lens. As I walked in, I saw a calendar that didn’t photograph the animals in the most favorable way. That’s when the concept for my “Art of Animals” series was born – frankly, to publish a calendar of my own to do justice for those animals! My goal was to photograph zoo animals in an artistic way to highlight their elegance and beauty.
Q: How do you determine which animals to photograph?
That’s more by chance. My pictures are not meant to be a documentary of these creatures. Instead, they demonstrate the animals artistically as individual creatures or species. It’s important for me to capture their beauty, elegance and emotions.
I mostly look for dynamic animals before deciding whether the photo could be compelling, considering lighting, perspective and background. For example, when I photograph predatory cats such as cheetahs, I pay close attention to the setting because a chaotic background may camouflage the subject.
▲ Splash
Q: Are there any memorable experiences from your photography sessions?
I had a near-death experience with “Splash” when I attempted to photograph a polar bear shaking his fur dry when he got out of the water in his enclosure. Without thinking twice, I climbed a small wall behind me to get a better view.
Unfortunately, the safety glass was slippery, so I lost balance because of my heavy backpack and fell about five meters down a staircase that led to the basin where the polar bears were. Thankfully, I was able to hold onto some branches just in time, and the photo turned out as I had hoped.
Photography in the Digital Age: Wolf Ademeit’s Collaboration With Samsung Art Store
Q: As a long-term partner of Samsung Art Store, can you please tell us how this partnership has influenced or expanded your work and exposure?
The collaboration with Samsung Art Store was very professional from the beginning. I was pleased to see my photos from the “Art of Animals” series showcased on The Frame – which boosted my visibility and led to a considerable increase in the number of Art Store users.
As a photographer, I naturally want to present my work to a wider audience. With The Frame and Samsung Art Store, viewers can easily access high-quality art at home. There is a big difference between viewing a photo on a giant TV screen instead of on a desk monitor. The Frame’s matte display reduces reflections, delivering a more immersive experience for viewers just like real paper prints in a gallery.
Furthermore, most printing services only offer color options, resulting in black-and-white prints with color cast or gray-white prints with too little contrast. That’s why I produce my own photos exclusively on real, chemically-developed Ilford photo paper – or use The Frame, which is just as reliable.
▲ Cheetah
Q: Among your artwork, “Cheetah” is particularly popular in the Art Store. Could you explain the inspiration behind this photo and why you think it resonates with viewers?
Animals cannot be directed. You can only hope that a situation unfolds as desired. In this picture, something nearby caught the cheetah’s attention. He jumped on the tree trunk and immediately went into hunting mode. “Cheetah” portrays both the tension and desire as well as the beauty and grace of predatory cat species. The cheetah’s expression is authentic and wonderfully visible.
Q: Out of all your photos in the Art Store, which three pieces best convey the characteristics of the subjects on The Frame? Please provide a brief explanation for each piece.
For artists, each piece of artwork is meaningful. “Bow,” “Three Wolves” and “True Love” are my favorite photos because high-quality monochrome images are difficult to find these days.
▲ Bow
“Bow” is one of my most beautiful photos. I like the graphic layout and the portrayal of the giraffe’s distinctive long neck. I saw the piece displayed on The Frame at a friend’s house a while ago, and it blew me away. An Ilford photo print the size of The Frame would probably be more expensive than the Frame itself.
▲ Three Wolves
“Three Wolves” is an action shot of three wolves. Only the wolf in front paused for me, but with a little luck, I caught all three at just the right moment. On The Frame, grayscale tones are displayed optimally and appear color neutral. Most reproductions on color printers fail to depict these hues as accurately.
▲ True Love
For “True Love,” I had to push my camera to its limit. While the elephants in motion made the shot difficult to capture, the intimate scene and playful touch between the two elephants convinced me to include it on the Art Store.
Exploring Creativity and Authenticity in Ademeit’s Photography
Q: Your portraits of animals offer a glimpse into the emotions and personalities of these creatures. How do you capture their subtle characteristics and emotions?
Photographing animals requires patience and concentration while the animals work their way into the positions I’m envisioning. Unlike human models, you cannot move or instruct the creatures. I have to be ready to capture them at a moment’s notice since they won’t stay in the same location. For “Vortex,” I visited the zoo repeatedly for many months until the zebra laid down in the exact position I wanted.
▲ Vortex
Time and perseverance allow me to capture each creature’s raw emotions. Animals show their feelings just like humans – but often, their expressions are much more unfiltered than ours. In some ways, I photograph animal portraits as I would human portraits.
Q: How have technological developments altered the way people engage with art?
Technology is rapidly changing how we view artwork. Photographers are constantly challenged to upgrade equipment, which may improve the technical quality but not the artistry of photos. Many of my Art Store pieces were taken with cameras that are rather outdated compared to current models. Today’s technological advancements allow anyone to take an aesthetic photo using a camera or mobile phone.
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for aspiring photographers who admire your work?
Personally, I look for a background in which the animal in the foreground will stand out. Then, I imagine what will happen next. For example, when the animal is lying down, I try to guess what direction it will move.
I have conducted several workshops on zoo photography – some of them for beginners using simple equipment. With a little guidance, these photographers took very good shots. In the end, it’s not the technique, but the creativity that makes the difference.
Wolf Ademeit’s photography will be featured in the August collection, “Top Ten Photographers,” on Samsung Art Store in celebration of Photography month.
Visit Samsung Art Store in The Frame to see more of Ademeit’s stunning pieces.
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