Michael Najjar, a German artist and explorer, bridges the gap between the earthly and the cosmic through his work, which combines photography, digital construction, and speculative vision. Expected to fly aboard Virgin Spaceship Unity in 2027, Najjar is set to be the first contemporary artist to journey into space. His artistic endeavors explore a world shaped by technology, infrastructure, and human ambition, using space as both a visual subject and a tangible frontier to question perception, progress, and the future.
Currently, Najjar’s piece “europa” (2016) is featured on Samsung Art TVs as part of the Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 Collection. Available exclusively on Samsung Art Store, this work brings the expansive visual language of Art Basel into the home, enhancing the experience with Samsung’s display technology.
In an interview with Samsung Newsroom, Najjar discussed his visual language, the ideas driving his work, and the role art plays in everyday environments. Najjar’s “europa” reflects his fascination with space and human imagination, using archival pigment print, Alu-Dibond, Diasec, and a custom-made frame.
Najjar’s lifelong interest in space travel, inspired by shows like Star Trek and works by authors such as Philip K. Dick and Arthur C. Clarke, fuels his artistic vision. Films like “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Blade Runner” continue to inspire him. Najjar believes that we live in an era where experiences increasingly shift into virtual space.
On the relationship between art and space exploration, Najjar sees them as closely linked since the Apollo missions. He began his “outer space” series in 2011, recognizing a new phase in space exploration driven by private companies. His series now includes over 80 artworks documenting the new space era.
Presenting his work through Art Basel Hong Kong allows Najjar to connect global audiences with ideas beyond borders, situating his work in a broader dialogue about technology, space exploration, and the future of human civilization.
Najjar highlights the importance of physical engagement in his creative process, developing concepts through dialogue with scientists and testing his own limits in extreme conditions. These experiences are foundational to his art, taking sometimes over a year from concept to completion.
Technological advancements have significantly influenced Najjar’s practice, with technology serving as both a medium and a subject. He notes the acceleration of technological evolution and its impact on human existence, with artificial intelligence being a current focus.
Najjar’s “europa” captures the icy surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa, believed to have a subsurface ocean potentially supporting life. This work, inspired by Caspar David Friedrich, merges landscape portraits from Iceland with images from the Galileo space probe.
Featured in the Art Basel Hong Kong collection on Samsung Art Store, “europa” offers a compelling digital encounter at home. Najjar appreciates how Samsung Art Store makes art accessible and a part of everyday life, inviting reflection in daily moments. He hopes viewers see that viewing art on Samsung TV can be more thrilling than watching the latest streaming series.
