Having won over the design set with its sleek aesthetic and transformative Art Mode, Samsung has announced the launch of its second generation Frame TV that features a nod to New Zealand’s art heritage.

Designed to turn the home into a mesmerising gallery of curated art, The Frame challenges the traditional role of a TV by enhancing users’ living spaces even when switched off. Alongside a set of new features that will allow users to display art in a more compelling way, one of the most notable developments comes from the Frame TV Art Store which has released a curation of artworks from Wellington’s renowned Te Papa Museum.

The thirteen-part collection comprises the work of several New Zealand artists. This includes a painting of Kororareka Beach, Bay of Islands by Thomas Gardiner (1840), a watercolour of the extinct Huia bird species by Johannes Keulemans (1900) and a piece of Mount Cook by Charles Barraud (1884) to name a few. Bringing a unique element to the collection, macro photographs of two butterfly specimens dating back to 1773 and 1839 have also been included.

Te Papa’s Chief Executive, Geraint Martin says that The Frame would allow users to bring New Zealand art into their everyday.

“Te Papa is always looking for new ways to share our collections. This is a great way for people to have artworks from New Zealand’s national art collection on display in their own home,” says Martin.

The works will join over 750 masterpieces from esteemed museums and galleries including the likes of Saatchi (London), Albertina (Austria) and Lumas (Berlin).

Jens Anders, Director of Samsung New Zealand’s Consumer Electronics division, says it was time for Aotearoa to make its mark on the Art Store. “Kiwis have truly embraced the Art Store, with New Zealand being one of the top five countries globally when it comes to Frame TV owners activating their subscription. With consumers clearly appreciating the artistic merits of the pieces in their homes, the next natural step was to put some of our New Zealand works on the platform,” says Anders. “The Frame has really redefined the way many think about the role of the TV in their home, whether it be enjoying a piece from the art selection or displaying one of your own photos,” says Anders.

In terms of functionality, updates include an enhanced user interface which enables selection of art based on the colour scheme of a room or by a particular medium such as drawing or photography. With new Slideshow and Favourites features art connoisseurs can also curate a gallery of their most-loved pieces to display on the screen at intervals. The inclusion of a Slim Fit Wall Mount makes for a more refined unit, blending seamlessly into any room in the home, and cord clutter has been eliminated thanks to Samsung’s One Clear Connection cable.

Optional accessories such as interchangeable frames in White, Beige Wood, Black and Walnut and the Studio Stand easel ensure that the Frame can be customised to enhance the design and décor of any space.

Like its predecessor, version two of The Frame will deliver a new standard in TV experience, combining a crisp, clear 4K screen with HDR10+ technology and Samsung’s smart TV capabilities.

The post Bridging the Gap Between Art & Tech appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

They’ve taken Manhattan and now The Muppets take Wellington with their grand Retro Spectacle Performance.

In association with the Wellington (New Zealand) based National Museum; Te Papa and the Jim Henson Estate, Kermit, Ernie, Bert and the rest of the gang have descended in to New Zealand’s capitol city with a show that will take old and new Muppet fans through the 40+ years of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show and more.

Ten years in the planning and choreographed by Wellington’s own Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Concords, The Muppets, Muppets Most Wanted) the mixed live action theater, films and hands-on workshops promises songs, memorabilia and hijinks that are signature to The Muppets legacy.

STG was invited to Te Papa to attend a closed press conference with Bret , Kermit and Ernie (video above filmed with a supplied Panasonic HC-WXF1M).

Media were treated to a Q & A session with the trio and we were lucky enough to meet face to face the world’s most famous frog.

The Retro Spectacle is a tribute to the late Jim Henson, the creator of Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Muppet Show and Muppets Tonight. Highlights from all of the TV Series’ will feature aswell as a ‘Behind the Seams’ look with some of the legendary puppeteers who not only bring the characters to life with amazing talent but also lend their voices to give all characters their signature personalities.

There will also be throwbacks to the likes of The Labyrinth (starring David Bowie) and Dark Crystal.

While Kermit was unsure where Miss Piggy was and Ernie rightfully pointed out that Sesame Street is a hard hitting edgy reality TV Show, Shane from STG was able to meet both Bert and Ernie in person.

A series of shows not to be missed, the Retro Spectacle will be playing from the 9th of April to the 29th of April 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand.

Check out the interview with Bert and Ernie from Sesame Street below.

*More info on the Jim Henson Retro Spectacle can be found HERE.

The post The Muppet Retro Spectacle appeared first on Shane the Gamer.