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[Interview] Visualizing Tranquility: Serge Hamad x Samsung Art Store


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Walking along the beach takes me back to my childhood, looking at reflections on the water and the way the horizon keeps changing”

— Serge Hamad, photographer

 

Serge Hamad is a visual storyteller whose multifaceted talents as a journalist, photographer and artist have informed the rich tapestry of his work. Having documented sociopolitical issues in war zones earlier in his career as a journalist, he now captures calm and serene seaside images as a photographer. Hamad’s work, including the highly acclaimed “Relax” series, captures tranquility in his signature style and also supports human rights groups with its impact.

 

Born in the Mediterranean, Hamad has been profoundly influenced by his lifelong fascination with the sea. His photography, characterized by comforting and reflective qualities, has gained widespread recognition from global audiences. Since joining Samsung Art Store in 2020, his work has gained an even wider following as people have interacted with his art in new ways.

 

This June, Samsung Art Store added two more of his notable pieces — “Beach #61” in the “Colors of Pride” collection and “Beach #64” in “Hello Summer.”

 

In an interview with Samsung Newsroom, Hamad shared his creative process and how his background and life experiences shape his art, as well as the profound impact his evocative images have had on viewers.

 

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▲ Serge Hamad

 

 

An Artist’s Journey

Q: Please describe your journey into the world of visual arts. What inspired you to move in that direction?

 

Earlier in my career, I used photography and videography to document various sociopolitical issues as a war zone journalist. In 2011, I decided to shift my focus to capturing more sincere and lighthearted scenes with my lens.

 

With the “Relax” series,1 my first body of work in fine art, I wanted to share peaceful and placid images with human rights organizations and support them with the proceeds. The public response well surpassed my expectations, so I decided to continue on this path.

 

Q: Your “Relax series is well known. What inspired you to shoot a series on the beach?

 

I was born on the Mediterranean coast, and the sea has always fascinated me. Walking along the beach takes me back to my childhood. I used to love looking at reflections on the water and the way the horizon kept changing.

 

My multicultural background, being half North African and half Westerner, has profoundly influenced my artistic vision and the themes I explore in my work. This unique blend of cultures allows me to draw from a rich tapestry of traditions and aesthetics, especially when it comes to colors. It has given me a broader perspective, enabling me to see and interpret the world through diverse lenses.

 

Q: How do you make your beach photography so engaging?

 

When it comes to capturing an engaging image, planning and timing are crucial. Planning is more than just checking the weather before a shoot — it’s also about selecting the right filming location. For example, I would go to a beach near a marina if I want a shot of a boat on the horizon. To capture a pelican diving into the sea, I would pick a specific beach and go there an hour before sunset. The rest of the atmosphere depends on human interactions with natural elements.

 

Q: Why does the beach hold so much significance for you?

 

Consistency is my top priority when developing a collection. I started the “Relax” series at the beach because it is one of the most relaxing places on the planet for millions of people, including myself. I enjoy working at the beach because it reminds me of both the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea from my childhood.

 

I started the ‘Relax’ series at the beach because it is one of the most relaxing places on the planet for millions of people, including myself.

 

 

Collaborating With Samsung Art Store

Q: How do you choose which pieces to share with Samsung Art Store? What emotions or themes do you wish to share

 

I work with Samsung to select pieces that align with a particular themed curation because that way, I can focus on the message delivered to viewers. I strive to convey tranquility and harmony through my pieces on Samsung Art Store.

 

Q: Samsung Art Store featured “Beach #61” and Beach #64” in its June collections. Can you share the meaning behind these pieces?

 

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▲ “Beach #61” (2023)

 

Beach #61 was shot in California. The rainbow-colored lifeguard house symbolizes tolerance.

 

Samsung-TVs-and-Displays-Art-Store-Serge

▲ “Beach #64” (2023)

 

Beach #64 is more of a friendly invitation for the viewer to follow my footsteps on a walk at the beach.

 

Q: Of all the works you’ve made available on Samsung Art Store, what are your three favorites?

 

I’d have to choose “Beach #4,” “Beach #37” and “Beach #32.” All three photographs show how humans share nature with seabirds.

 

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▲ “Beach #4” (2011)

 

“Beach #4” uses a minimalistic approach to convey serenity with natural lines and colors. Before taking this photo, I wondered who would call a taxi to go surfing. It was only when the car approached that I realized it was a lifeguard vehicle.

 

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▲ “Beach #37” (2016)

 

I couldn’t resist capturing this scene of a seagull resting on a dune that looked like a charcoal painting.

 

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▲ “Beach #32” (2014)

 

Even if the seagulls in “Beach #32” had left and weren’t in the shot, we would still know that they had shared the dune with humans and enjoyed it together. The footprints of both humans and birds on the same dune symbolize their different influences on nature.

 

Embracing culture in our homes is always a great idea, and The Frame does just that.

 

 

Embracing the Future

Q: As an artist, how do you feel about the impact of technology on the art world?

 

Technology has always impacted my work and influenced my approach to photography. As a photographer, I use various tools every day to express myself — and different situations and subjects calls for different tools. Improving technology means giving artists more powerful capabilities to express themselves, so I embrace both analog and digital tools.

 

In my opinion, artists in all kinds of disciplines have always benefited from innovations. During my career as a photographer, I have seen the popularization of imaging technology to a level that made it accessible to everyone. I believe this has created new artists and will continue to do so. The main thing to keep in mind, though, is that technology is a tool. The artistic process happens in your own mind.

 

Q: How do you believe your collaboration with Samsung Art Store and The Frame has changed the way people appreciate art in their homes?

 

The Frame is a brilliant concept, making art more accessible to a wider audience. Embracing culture in our homes is always a great idea, and The Frame does just that.

 

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

 

I’m working on a new series called “A table here, a table there.I plan to spend a few months traveling along the U.S. West Coast to produce it and hope to share the collection by the end of this year.

 

 

1 All the “Beach” artwork on Samsung Art Store are part of the “Relax” series.

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      A New Cinematic Experience That Appeal to The Senses
      The large 55-inch screen wraps around the user’s field of view thanks to its 1000R curvature, filling their peripheral vision. This is further emphasized by Cockpit Mode, which enables the screen to rotate with HAS (Height Adjustable Stand), tilt and pivot functionality for an optimal screen environment that creates a new sense of world-blending immersion.
       
      The Odyssey Ark brings Samsung’s Quantum Matrix Technology to bear, using Quantum Mini LEDs, which enable ultra-fine and precise control of the densely packed LEDs. With newly added 14-bit processing, a sophisticated lighting control technology, gamers see both dark and bright scenes, including 16,384 black levels for ultra-realistic graphics.
       
      A million-to-one static contrast ratio brings out even the most subtle details with perfect clarity. Plus, the Neural Quantum Processor Ultra takes content quality to new heights by using data generated from 20 neural networks to enhance every visual detail, upscaling content to up to 4K resolution.
       
      For supreme cinematic experience, the Odyssey Ark leverages Samsung’s Matte Display and Sound Dome Technology. The Matte Display provides both anti-glare and anti-reflection protection, minimizing distractions and keeps users focused on the content in front of them. The Odyssey Ark introduces magnificent sound with ‘Sound Dome Tech’ featuring AI Sound Booster and Dolby Atmos to enhance the surround sound experience. Four speakers, one at each corner, and two central woofers result in realistic and rich sound thanks to a 60W 2.2.2 channel with the lowest 45Hz notes of any gaming screen or gaming soundbar.
       
       
      Superior Gaming Performance Optimized for Players
      Along with the 165Hz refresh rate, the Odyssey Ark brings together a 4K (3,840 x 2,160) resolution featuring 1ms response time (GtG) with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, maximizing on-screen accuracy and giving gamers a competitive edge in fast-moving environments. The Odyssey Ark also delivers powerful gaming performance and enables gamers to experience the best of gaming in one place with Samsung Gaming Hub.2 Samsung Gaming Hub is an all-in-one game streaming discovery platform, where players can discover and enjoy games they love from partners such as Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Google Stadia, Utomik and Amazon Luna.
       
      Samsung Gaming Hub allows instant access to top streaming services, as well as popular console and PC games. With no downloads or storage space requirements, users can explore every corner of the gaming world without limitations.
       
       
      Flexible Interface To Find The Perfect Settings for Victory
      Gamers increasingly expect personalized and customizable gaming experiences. The Odyssey Ark provides a range of innovative features that let gamers adjust screen size, position and even ratio for an optimal gaming setup. First, the solar-powered Ark Dial — the exclusive controller for the Odyssey Ark — can quickly and simply control a variety of settings, including Flex Move Screen, Multi View, Quick Settings and Game Bar.
       
      Flex Move Screen allows users to adjust screen size between 55- and 27-inches, change the screen position and even switch the screen ratio between 16:9, 21:9 and 32:9 — all with just one touch of Ark Dial. This freedom is not only horizontal but also vertical position, giving users even more control of the viewing experience. Multi View allows users to use the large screen to its full potential by displaying up to four screens all at once while horizontal, or three while in Cockpit Mode. This eliminates the need for multi-monitor setups, so gamers can enjoy a clutter-free environment.
       
      Game Bar3 is a powerful tool enabling gamers to quickly and easily view their gaming status and control important settings without ever needing to leave the game screen. From checking FPS (Frames Per Second), HDR (High Dynamic Range) and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), to adjusting settings such as screen ratio, response time and Game Picture mode, Game Bar puts the player in control and on the road to victory.
       
      As well as being equipped with a solar panel, the Ark Dial can also be charged by a USB Type-C connection, eliminating the need for any disposable batteries.
       
      Preorder for Samsung’s Odyssey Ark will be available from August 15, 2022.4 For more information, please visit: Samsung.com.
       
       
      [Spec Table]
      Model G97NB Display Screen Size 55” Flat / Curved 1000R Curved Aspect Ratio 16:9 Processor Neural Quantum Processor Ultra Matte Display Yes Back Light Unit Quantum Mini LED(Local Dimming) HDR(High Dynamic Range) Quantum HDR 2000 Contrast Ratio Static 1,000,000 : 1 Resolution 3,840 x 2,160 Response Time 1ms (GTG) Refresh Rate Max 165Hz Gaming Features VRR FreeSync Premium Pro Samsung Gaming Hub Yes Others Ark Dial, Flex Move Screen, Multi View, Game Bar, Game Mode General Features Auto Source Switch + Yes Eye Saver Mode Yes Flicker Free Yes Adaptive Picture Yes Off Timer Plus Yes Sound Sound Output 60W Channel 2.2.2ch (4 speakers and 2 woofers) Frequency Response 45Hz ~ 20KHz Dolby Atmos Yes Interface HDMI HDMI 2.1 (4EA), HDMI-CEC Lan Port RJ45 (1EA) Design Color Black Stand Type Height Adjustable Stand (HAS) Tilt Yes Pivot Yes (Cockpit Mode) Wall Mount Yes (200×200, 300×300, 400×400)  
       
      1 Gray to Gray. A unit of measurement of pixel speed. Used to measure the response time of gaming monitors.
      2 Samsung Gaming Hub is available in the following countries/regions: US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Korea and Brazil. Service availability for partners may vary by region. 
      3 Game Bar supports PC & console gaming but does not support the Samsung Gaming Hub.
      4 Preorder may vary by region or country
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