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Sameh Al Tawil

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

Sameh Al Tawil
White-Labeled - Sameh Al Tawil 2023.jpg White-Labeled - Sameh Al Tawil 2023.jpg
Born1978/01/14
🏳️ NationalityEgyptian and German
Other namesSameh Eltawil
💼 Occupation
Contemporary visual artist
Notable work
SOLO’’ , ‘‘Ready to Go’’ and ‘‘CHAOS'’
StyleConceptual art, New Media Art
🌐 Websitesamehaltawil.com


Sameh Al Tawil is an Egyptian-born German New media artist, performance artist, photographer, musician and Activist [1] known for his contributions in the exploration of sociopolitical and human rights topics specially in the Middle East.[2][3] His work combines film, performance, digital installations, interaction and storytelling to provide a perspective on these complex subjects, often viewed through the lens of Egyptian culture and identity. Al Tawil's artistic journey frequently combines Cairo where he was born and Munich, Germany, where he resides.[4][5] He has multiple accolades like Nile Salon photography prize 2012, Youth Salon Awards (1999,2000, 2004)), ENPI Photography 2nd Prize 2010 , Artist in residency from Prohelvatia cairo 2013, he got a commission from the Contemporary Art Museum in Munich for the 'SOLO' art project (2003), as well as commissions from the modern art museum in Cairo, as creative director he won awards i.e Cannes Lions Silver 2021, 2 Effie Awards 2017 & 2019, EME Award 2018, Comprix Award 2018, BestCss award, AdsOfTheWorld 2020, Vuforia Vision Award 2015.

Early life and education[edit]

Sameh Al Tawil was born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1978 and he spent his early years in Cairo. Al Tawil pursued a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the Faculty of Applied Arts in Egypt. In 1998–1999, Sameh Al Tawil received a Goethe Institute scholarship to study in Munich, Germany, after helping organize a workshop by German artist Bruno Wank in Cairo.[6] Facing bureaucratic challenges, [5]Al Tawil and his fellow students stepped in, forging a strong friendship with Wank.[7] They collaborated on the workshop and repeated it the following year [8] During a visit to Germany in 1999, Wank introduced Al Tawil to the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, inspiring him to pursue further studies there after completing his education in Egypt. At 22, he moved to Munich, Germany, where he acquired a Diploma of Fine Art from the Academy of Fine Arts (ADBK). Additionally, he studied Media Art Histories at the Danube University in Krems, Austria.[4][5]

Artistic Vision and Works[edit]

Sameh's body of work is distinguished by its thought-provoking exploration of themes, notably freedom, religious identity, artistic identity, and human rights.[9] Through a blend of multimedia techniques, including film, performance, digital installations, and storytelling, Al Tawil focuses on these themes with a Middle Eastern perspective that reflects his deep-rooted connection to the region.[10][11][5][12]

Video Installations[edit]

He started his career by working on a project called "Cupboard," created between 1998 and 1999, that explores the complications of human relationships, personal identity, and the symbolism embedded within domestic spaces. Inspired by a real-life family conflict involving his friend Alaa Deswouky from Egypt, Al Tawil aimed to give viewers a 20-minute slice of Alaa's life within the confines of an aged storage room. Al Tawil employed a fixed high-angle camera perspective, reminiscent of a surveillance camera's gaze, which infused the work with an unsettling sense of voyeurism.[13]

In 2005 he worked in video project called "Visitors". It was filmed in the Saudi Arabian desert, it's features candid discussions among a group of Egyptian expatriates, set against the striking desert backdrop. The fixed surveillance-style camera captures their conversations, disputes, and moments of camaraderie.[14][15] post-production manipulations transform the footage into a dramatic portrayal of expatriate experiences, shedding light on the emotional and intricate aspects of their lives abroad. Utilizing surveillance-like cinematography, the project explores the themes of privacy intrusion and the concept of "extimacy," blurring the lines between personal and public domains.[14][15]

He worked for a single installation artwork called "A442Hz" where musicians preparing for a performance.[16] What appears as a typical sound check takes a thought-provoking turn as the musicians intentionally deviate from the standard 442 Hz tuning,[17] symbolizing resistance against power structures and arbitrary laws it shows the disruption of political events and civil activism through discordant sounds, challenging the concept of unity in times of change.[16][18][17]

In 2014, he directed an art film called "Clockwise" which drew inspiration from Egypt's political and social changes. While the film indirectly addresses the political situation in Egypt, its themes are universal, touching on life, death, infinity, and continuity. This film is shot entirely in black and white, devoid of dialogue, and relies heavily on physical expression.[19][20]

In 2018 he worked in a video project called "Solo" that addressed freedom of expression, alienation, and slavery.[21] He uses music performances as a symbol of freedom while being handcuffed as a representation of slavery's shadow while playing a piano. Al Tawil highlights the struggle for artistic expression within constraints.[22][23] The project combines visuals, likely photographs and videos, to complement the themes. Al Tawil's approach engages both emotions and intellect to reflect on enduring human stories related to curtailed freedom and the complexities of the slavery narrative.[24][23]

Art Projects[edit]

Al Tawil started working in the field of art project in Saudi Arabia where he worked on "Slavery Document" which explores the concept of exile through the lens of slavery. Al Tawil uses photo-collage techniques to depict his personal experiences in Saudi Arabia. One work in the project resembles a counterfeit Saudi identification card, featuring fingerprints and X-rays of the human body. In the other work he covered himself and some other employees with plastic and shipping structures. To tell the audience the relationship between slavery, identity, and exile, offering a thought-provoking exploration of displacement's impact on human identity and the treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.[13][4]

File:Exhibited Art project called Ready-to-Go done by Sameh Al Tawil.jpg
Ready To Go is an art project that explores the theme of transition and departure culture.

He presented another project in 2013 called “Vs Versa” which was showcased during the Di-Egy festival in Cairo, Egypt, a large screen acts as a real-time mirror of reality. It captures and instantly manipulates what it sees through a camera.[25][26]

Participants select and raise banners, triggering the augmented reality video to transform the images and messages on these banners. This transformation often shifts the liberal expressions in the Egyptian street into Islamic slogans. The video also detects Islamic imagery, responding with real-time Islamic voices and cheers.[27][28]

File:Not for Sale, 2017 done by Sameh Al Tawil.jpg
Not FOR SALE was exhibited in GALERIE.DER.KUENSTLER, Munich, Germany in 2017 within Shopping Mall Group exhibition.

In 2017 art he explored the concept of borders and boundaries called "Not for Sale" It delves into the experiences of individuals who embark on journeys, often fraught with danger, in search of better opportunities beyond their familiar borders, both physical and symbolic.[29][30]

In 2021, he did an art project focused on the visualization of sound data called "CHAOS," During this performance, he used live piano sounds specifically designed to generate 2D/3D visuals in real time. It relied on OSC/MIDI transmission software, specially developed for the project.[31][32]

He worked in a project called ask google which was exhibited in the Islamic arts festival[33]

Moving Images[edit]

In 2014 he worked in a moving image project called "Sel.fie.less" that was built upon the concepts introduced in "IDEMixer,"[34] In this project, individual AI-generated selfies were created of Al Tawil which were created using the Midjourney robot and were sorted through random algorithms over time.[35][36]

The project offers three distinct versions, each organizing the photos in a unique manner. One version arranges the images by estimated age, another by gender, and the third by colour. These organized images reveal a diversity of non-selfies, showcasing the various methods through which self-portraits are generated, including facial expressions, colours, filters, and styles.[37]

He works on a new moving image project called "CHAOS" it's software enables the graphical representation and generation of phase and amplitude of music signals. This project explores the potential to render visible the often-intangible data that permeates our world. It takes various forms, including audio-visual piano concerts, installations, digital paintings, digital sculptures, and soundtrack release.[31] These experiments seek to substantiate and visually represent sonic data, with Al Tawil's digital piano OSC/MIDI data serving as the primary source for sound and visuals.[38][31]

Selected Exhibitions[edit]

  • 10/1999 (Bronze sculpture) Workshop and Exhibition in Goethe Institut Cairo.
  • 11/1999(Seven) Group Exhibition in Cairo Atelier
  • 07/2000 Bachelor-Exhibition in Faculty of Applied Arts, Cairo, Egypt
  • 06/2001(Water symphony) Drawing, Year Exhibition Prof. Brangenberg class ADBK
  • 06/2002(Dancing) 3D animation films in the year exhibition in ADBK, Munich, Germany
  • 05/2003(Just on time) Video-installation “Ma’am / Grave” Dom Museum, Frankfurt
  • 01/2003(Endless journey) film “Kunst am boden” Exhibition ADBK Munich,
  • 10/2003(Journey) video / animation with Bruno Wank in Marktoberdorf, Germany.
  • 05/2003(Just on time) Video-installation “Ma’am / Grave” Dom Museum, Frankfurt,
  • 04/2004(Kopf-Head) Video–Installation exhibitions in Goethe-Institute Cairo.
  • 03/2005(VISITORS) video with Patricia Gruel in Uban Gallery, Munich, Germany.
  • 03/2005(No way) video/ Animation, Fine art academy Hall, Munich, Germany.
  • 12/2006 (SOLO) video performance the Architectural pheromones hall, Jeddah, KSA
  • 04/2011(Stop) Live video/Audio performance, Mokhtar museum, Cairo, Egypt
  • 04/2013(VS./ بالعكس) Augmented reality Art project, stadtgalerie,Bern, Switzerland
  • 06/2013(Ready To Go /مستعد للرحيل ( ّsolo exhibition, Stadtgalerie, Bern, Switzerland
  • 09/2013(VS. / بالعكس ( ّAR/ interactive Art project, Ithuba Gallery, Johannesburg, ZA.
  • 10/2013(A442Hz / لا ٤٤٢ هيرتز (Video Art, Medrar, 5th Cairo Video festival.
  • 11/2013(A442Hz / لا٤٤٢ هيرتز (Video Art, 1st Afiriperfoma Fest., Zimbabwe
  • 02/2014(CLOCKWISE/ باتجاه عقارب الساعة ( Diplom Exhibition 2014, ADBK, Munich,
  • 2015 (Door to paradise) باب الجنة Virtual Reality installation within 18th Edition of ISAF Sharja, UAE
  • 2017 Shoppingmall" group exhibition in der Galerie der Künstler Munich, Germany.
  • 2019 (Still searching) البحث مستمر Ai video installation within 22nd Edition of ISAF Sharja, UAE.
  • 04/2021 (Chaos) فوضى artificial intelligence musical performance within Cairotronica cairo.
  • 06/2021 (Look at this) Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich, Germany
  • 07/2021 (Diorama) Ai / 3D graphic within the 42nd General Exhibition, Cairo, Egypt
  • 05/2023 (Chaos) فوضى - within Nexus group exhibition in VerpachereiGö, Germany
  • 12/2023 (White Labeled) هوية بيضاء - Performance art within the group exhibition Something Else, At The Citadel - Cairo, Egypt.
  • 05/2024 (Staccato) عزف متقطع - Performance / Video within the group exhibition (Humanity Is ...) in VerpachereiGö, Germany
  • 05/2024 (A442Hz) لا ٤٤٢ هرتز - Performance / Video within the group exhibition (Humanity Is ...) in VerpachereiGö, Germany

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Montasser, Farah (2011). "The third amateur photographers competition, organized by the European Union delegation to Egypt, showcases unique perspectives of our culture today".
  2. ↑ "Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website | Biography, Art & News". Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  3. ↑ "Landescape Art Review - December 2013 by LandEscape Art Review - Issuu". issuu.com. 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "About - Artist Sameh Al Tawil - Media Artist | Digital Creative Director". Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website. 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "LandEscape Art Review - December 2013 - land.escape Flip PDF | AnyFlip". anyflip.com. Land escape Art Review. pp. 50–59. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
  6. ↑ "Newsletter - Kunstakademie München - März 2017/2". www.adbk.de (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  7. ↑ "Images that speak for themselves. Bruno Wank documents bronze casting on film" (PDF). Marktoberdorf. 2002.
  8. ↑ "Nafas". universes.art (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  9. ↑ "With Egyptian participation. Sharjah concludes Islamic Arts Festival" (in العربية). 2020.
  10. ↑ السنهوري, مروة (2019-12-14). "إبداعات وأعمال هندسية تستكشف المدى في "الفنون الإسلامية"". صحيفة الرؤية (in العربية). Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  11. ↑ "Der Einkaufswagen ist Inbegriff einer modernen Konsumgesellschaft" (PDF). Static Squarespace (in German). 2017.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
  12. ↑ "Projekte — HALLE 6 - ateliers, proberäume, co-working space". HALLE 6 - ateliers, proberäume, co-working space (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Dar al-Hiwar". universes.art (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Visitors_ Video & Performance_ By Artist Sameh Al Tawil _Munich 2004". Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 AkademieGalerie 2004 - 2008 (in German). Academy of Fine Arts, Munich. 2009. p. 11. ISBN 978-3-932934-25-4.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link) Search this book on
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Beginning 25 September, and running for two weeks, the 5th Cairo Video Festival will present a large collection of experimental and video art from Egypt and around the world". Al-Ahram. 2013.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "A442hz Film by Egyptian German Artist Sameh Al Tawil". Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  18. ↑ Mekawei, Yara (2013). "SIXTH FLOOR Art Exhibition" (PDF). SIXTH FLOOR. pp. 54–55.
  19. ↑ "New Egyptian short film 'Clockwise' to premiere in Munich". Al-Ahram. 2014.
  20. ↑ "CLOCKWISE - Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website %". Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  21. ↑ "Al Tawil, Sameh, Solo, 2003". www.pin-freunde.de (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  22. ↑ "LOOK AT THIS steht in Großbuchstaben auf der Zeichnung von David Shrigley, die ein schwarzes Rechteck zeigt" (PDF) (in German). 2021. p. 11.CS1 maint: Unrecognized language (link)
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "SOLO 2018". Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  24. ↑ "Sammlung | Solo". www.sammlung.pinakothek.de. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  25. ↑ "Cairo's Art Festivals Engulfed in Politics - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East". www.al-monitor.com. 2013-05-02. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  26. ↑ "Behind the image and Beyond" (PDF). Egypt Digital art Festival. 2013.
  27. ↑ Tawil, Sameh Al (2013-09-12). "VS بالعكس Johannesburg 2013". Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  28. ↑ "AMAZE Johannesburg 2013 | Tegan Bristow". Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  29. ↑ Zeitung, Süddeutsche (2017-04-07). "Nach dem Kassensturz". Süddeutsche.de (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  30. ↑ "not FOR SALE لَيْسَ لِلبَيْعِ". Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 "CHAOS فَوْضَى Digital performance". Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  32. ↑ "Nexus Catalogue" (PDF). Nexus. 2023.
  33. ↑ "«مهرجان الفنون الإسلامية» يستحق أن يذهب إلى أبعد من الشارقة". aawsat.com (in العربية). Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  34. ↑ Khaled, Fatma (2018). "Egypt's second edition of Cairotronica probes future through media arts". Al-Ahram.
  35. ↑ "IDEMixer هويات مختلطة". Artist Sameh Al Tawil official website. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  36. ↑ Martins, Tiago; Correia, João; Rebelo, Sérgio; Bicker, João; Machado, Penousal (2020). "Portraits of No One: An Interactive Installation". In Romero, Juan; Ekárt, Anikó; Martins, Tiago; Correia, João. Artificial Intelligence in Music, Sound, Art and Design. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. 12103. Cham: Springer International Publishing. pp. 104–117. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-43859-3_8. ISBN 978-3-030-43859-3. Unknown parameter |s2cid= ignored (help) Search this book on
  37. ↑ Shafei, Shrief Al (2014). "Cairotronica presented from Cairo a multi-probability technical future". Al Arab.
  38. ↑ "Cairotronica 3rd edition at the factory and tahrir cultural center" (PDF). 2021. p. 111.


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