837 / NEXT Summary: Samsung celebrates NFT art and the powerful creators behind it
Samsung recently celebrated innovations in digital art during the fourth annual NFT.NYC. The company was the host 837 / NEXT, an event series on the Samsung 837, the flagship experience center in New York City’s Meatpacking District, as well as in the meta verse on the Samsung 837X and Samsung US Discord server. The series, which ran from 19 to 23 June, brought together artists, creators, new technological innovators and the NFT community with powerful installations, thought-provoking sessions and lively celebrations every day.
The week included a brand new collaborative art assignment in the Samsung 837X that curated a mosaic masterpiece that is not fungible (NFT). Korean contemporary artist So Youn Lee collaborated with the company to bring this idea to life as Samsung fans contributed personally and online from the metaverse and Samsung US Discord server through their custom noun avatars. Some of the lucky participants received exciting prizes such as Substantiv glasses, 837 / NEXT artist’s jumpsuit wearables and a winner was awarded the ultra-rare Golden glasses.
On Sunday, June 19th (Juneteenth), Samsung worked with two talented photographers – Diana Sinclair and Isaac “Drift” Wright – to host The Digital Diaspora Pt. 2, an art exhibition, panel discussion and fundraising auction centered around the works of notable Black NFT artists including Diana Sinclair, Isaac Wright aka DrifterShoots, Misan Harriman, Ix Shells, Cory Van Lew, Elise Swopes, Andre Oshea, Ed Balloon and Latashá. The panel was an honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities for black artists in the NFT world, and included Faith Love (Metamask), Diana Sinclair, Emonee LaRussa, Andre Oshea, Elise Swopes and Cory Van Lew. The Digital Diaspora Pt. 2 also offered viewers a fascinating performance by Iniko + Reuel Williams, Ed Balloon, Haleek Maul and Asoh Black
More than 1,700 people met the Samsung 837 to experience the creative talents of colorful artists, raise their voices and promote greater justice in the NFT area.
On Monday, June 20th, Samsung 837 was transformed into an NFT gallery with a digital art takeover by ArtRepublic, a curation agency for modern digital art. They unveiled art never before seen, which was followed by a panel of some of the talented creators behind the art, including film director and visual artist Michael Osei-Wusu (aka Indigo Suave); audiovisual artist and composer Ben Heim; Greg Bresnitz, Chief Growth Officer at The New Computer Corporation; and Micah Adams, Marketing Specialist with Algorand Foundation; moderated by Jessica Santiago, CEO and curator of ArtRepublic Global. Following the 837 event, ArtRepublic converted the iconic TAO Downtown into a bespoke digital gallery using Samsung Frame for more than 250 guests, including leading blue chip NFT collectors, web3 founders and musical guests Miguel and Dave East.
Axie Infinity, the NFT-based online gaming universe, ended the day with an interactive takeover that invited guests to take part in a live performance of new games, a DJ appearance and a panel discussion on “Past, present and future of games” with Jeff Zirlin, Infinity / Sky Mavis; Arianna Simpson, A16z; OhhShiny, DIGITAL; Samsung Nexts David Lee; and Andrew Campbell, Zyori / Eports.
On Tuesday, June 21st, Art Blocks held a community event on the Samsung 837 for community members and artists creating content on their platform. The event featured a curated selection of generative art NFTs from the Art Blocks platform shown on Samsung’s The Frame and QLED TVs, as well as its massive 1.26mm IF series three-story LED display. As part of the event, Samsung hosted an insightful panel entitled “NFTs, Screens & The Art Experience: The Evolution and Future of Digital Art & Display. “
Lesley Silverman, Head of Web3 at United Talent Agency, moderated the panel with Avner Ronen, Vice President of Product Development at Samsung Electronics; Erick Calderon, founder and CEO of Art Blocks; and Sofia Garcia, founder of ARTXCODE, where they discussed new trends in the digital art space and the new opportunities to show NFTs.
Samsung also worked with SuperRare, a digital arts and culture marketplace, and a Samsung Next portfolio company, to offer screens for their “pop-up” NFT gallery in the heart of SoHo. The exhibition, packed with art collectors and fans, featured travel photography by Jacob Riglin and Eric Rubens.
On Wednesday, June 22nd, Samsung Electronics America CMO Michelle Crossan-Matos took the stage to highlight the company’s strategy and journey as the architect of the brand’s transition to Decentraland, Roblox and Discord over the past six months. Her keynote was followed by a conversation with Sukhmani Mohta, Head of Display Marketing, Samsung Electronics America; Vince Giella, Head of Brand Experience, Samsung Electronics America; Keith Soljacich, Head of Innovation, Publicis Media; and Brian Brown, Vice President, Senior Group Creative Director, Razorfish; and Tammy Pepito, vice president of social and content marketing, Razorfish on the back, the passion and innovation behind Samsung’s entry into Web3 and the meta verse.
Then, experts and executives from Samsung; launch of keyless crypto wallet, ZenGo; METAPLEX, a protocol built to create and create NFTs; and Authenify Art, a trusted value engine for art and collectibles, shared news about their latest technologies. Those who joined came for tips and also participated in engaging hands-on workshops and interactive stands.
Finally, Art Blocks and Samsung ended the day with an afterparty that brought together 400 artists, collectors, influencers and art lovers who enjoyed impressive generative artwork along with a DJ set by Toro y Moi.
On Thursday 23 June, the art collective Women Rise, founded by visual artist Maliha Abidi, celebrated the incredible women who create on the blockchain. The 837s were taken over with their art and NFTs. After that, the room changed to a panel focused on self-expression in the meta-focused Anand Agarawala, co-founder and CEO of Spatial; Jinha Lee, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Spatial; Gianna Valenti, Director of Marketing Partnerships at Spatial; Timmu Tõke, co-founder and CEO of Ready Player Me; Kaspar Tiri, co-founder of Ready Player Me; and Adriana Hoppenbrouwer, co-founder and COO of The Fabricant. Following the panel, visitors to Samsung’s metaverse were invited to explore a dynamic new space created by Spatial.
To emphasize the importance of female representation, the “Women of Web3” panel was moderated by The Fabricants’ Adriana Hoppenbrouwer and featured Maggie Love, co-founder and CEO of W3BCLOUD; contemporary artist Krista Kim; Christine Theriot, Director of Strategic Partnerships at BFF; Shannon Snow, COO and World of Women; and Bettina von Schlippe, publisher of Vogue Singapore.
Finally, the NFT Magazine podcast aired live all day from the Samsung 837 on Thursday, interviewing celebrities, musicians, and NFT innovators and leaders.
Stay tuned for more innovative Web 3 experiences from Samsung!
