Samsung Frames Its Support For African Art At FNB Joburg Art Fair

Samsung is proud to announce its partnership with Artlogic, organisers of the FNB Joburg Art Fair, which will be held from 27 - 29 September 2013 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. This forward-thinking electronics company has affirmed its passionate support of the arts � African art in particular � by giving South African artist, Mohau Modisakeng, an innovative platform for his work at the upcoming Fair. High-definition art Modisakeng�s work will be displayed on Samsung�s innovative Ultra HD 85-inch TV, as part of a multi-media installation. Visitors to the Fair can look forward to this visually interesting project, which shows a number of people performing gesture, repeated in unison, at the instruction of a central figure (Modisakeng himself). The result is a rhythmic exchange between the conductor and the performers - a sonic experience that resembles a forward marching group. Modisakeng, who lives and works between Johannesburg and Cape Town, has previously shown his work at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, IZIKO South African National Gallery, Cape Town and SAATCHI Gallery, London. �Video art powered by Samsung has made an invaluable contribution to the growth of my visual vocabulary as an emerging artist,� he says. �It has enabled me to explore a way of working that until now had always been locked in my imagination. I appreciate the support given to me by this project.� Partners in creativity Head of Artlogic, Ross Douglas, is excited about Artlogic�s partnership with Samsung at the upcoming Art Fair. �Samsung is one of the great art sponsors of the world, and are doing amazing work through their Foundation of Culture. As the owners of the biggest art fair in the world to focus on Africa, Artlogic is delighted to partner with Samsung, with the special project - Video Art Powered by Samsung. We believe this is a great fit, due to Samsung's international commitment to art and Africa's rapidly growing interest in contemporary art." Douglas applauds Samsung for showing their support of African art in this manner. "Video artists have always been limited by the available technology and have longed to have the production value that could only traditionally be achieved with 35mm film,� he says. �Thanks to products such as the Samsung Ultra HD monitor, a South African artist will now be working with feature-film equipment, including a 4K camera, to produce video art to be specifically seen at the FNB Joburg Art Fair. For once, we will see video art that is free of any technical limitations, thereby enabling the artist to focus solely on his craft." Samsung and the arts Since the founding of the Samsung Foundation of Culture in 1965, Samsung has made significant contributions to invigorating arts and culture. The Samsung Foundation of Culture has been a beacon for arts and cultural development, committed to preserving Korean traditional culture. Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art was opened in central Seoul in 2004. The buildings of the art complex were designed by three of the world�s most renowned architects, Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel, and Rem Koolhaas. With a rich collection ranging from Korean ancient national treasures to cutting-edge multimedia pieces, Leeum provides not only exhibition space but a vibrant, dynamic cultural forum open to everyone. Samsung has also sponsored art galleries in prestigious museums around the world, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; and the Mus�e Guimet in Paris. It has also been involved in presenting acclaimed exhibitions in such preeminent institutions as the British Museum, London; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; and the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, Paris. Samsung�s presence at the FNB Joburg Art Fair in September promises to bring the world of art and technology closer together and the installation is not to be missed. �Samsung is all about creating amazing experiences,� explains Lucy Jones, Corporate Marketing Lead at Samsung Electronics Africa. �We have always been supportive of the arts and there is no doubt that we have a strong cultural industry � with an influx of innovation at its core. It is this growth and innovation that is synonymous with a brand like Samsung�s and we are proud to be part of this Fair by not only exposing visitors to the superior quality of our audio-visual products in a fresh, new way but more so by developing and fostering Africa�s talent and cultural landscape.� The Fair coincides with a special art issue of Samsung Africa�s prestigious lifestyle magazine, S13. The issue, which will focus on art in an African context, will be distributed at the event and promises to be a must-read for art-lovers and techno-optimists alike.