1. Where were you born and where are you from ?

Born and living in Ashrafieh the heart of Beirut capital of Lebanon.

2. What is your first memory connected to the art world ?

Mmmm well I remember since I was actually so young, my paternal family were in the industry of couture, therefore I was so attracted by shapes, colors, fabrics and materials.. Besides the interior of the family house was filled with multiple objects and furniture from the 20thies, some art deco pieces and vintage ones.. My single hobby was drawing dresses and houses on any paper around, I’ve been told I’m a talented little boy… These were my very first memories and a solid base in the structure of my personality.

3. Have you always worked in the art/design field ?

Yes since I studied Interior architecture and product design.

4. What led you to the design creation ?

The love for art, architecture and History of art…mixed to my chaotic imagination.

5. How would you describe your creative process and it influences ?

As a Middle Eastern and specifically a Lebanese,  I am really concerned to reflect a dynamic representation of my city and country therefore I Include continuously an additional methodology in each of my project related to my culture and ritual by choosing the lines, shapes, materials also by collaborating with skilled craftsmen ,occasionally in a muddled development conversely with a clean and sharp outcome, My ultimate concern is to keep integrating this Middle Eastern / Lebanese soul in the procedure of each of my products which I define sober, geometric, ornamented, rhythmic, poetic and nostalgic.

6. Could you describe a typical day of your work ?

Well ok let me describe my daily routine pre covid and lockdowns, first it starts with my breakfast which is only caffellate early mornings while checking social media…. Around 8h I start the work, first replying on emails preparing the schedule of the day or the week, working on my projects, following up what’s happening on site for (interior projects) or in the production of my pieces.. I usually prefer not to meet before noon. Well lunch for me is very important it can be a business lunch or even alone sometimes with family I have a very strict schedule I try my best to finalize my daily work around 5 or 6 when I love to take coffee at my favorite spot but even at this relaxing moments i continue sketching and creating some new design concepts, if I have an extra time I go to the gym but unfortunately not on daily basis ,most of the time I go back to work after diner or go have some drinks with my friends ..my beloved hobby other than painting well its photography I got all the necessary tools …my favorite room is the photography studio ..i adore experimenting new shots playing with lights and dimensions.

7. Why did you choose the specific materials you work with ?

I like to work usually with noble natural materials such as rough solid stones and different kind of marble, furthermore i like to work with natural wood, leather and fabrics, I love the transparency, light and the third dimension of the glass, another favorite one is brass reflecting the oriental feel through an extravagant aspect with its golden finishing.. I appreciate the time and intelligence that someone put in creating new materials but im not a big fan of plastic and nylon based materials noting that who knows maybe one day I’ll use one of them ,lately “AFTER AGO” is handcrafted and painted using multiple materials such as foam, lightweight concrete plaster, acrylic and stone ware/clay.

Regarding colors well I appreciate each and every color.

8. What are the technical particularities of your creations ?

Regarding the technical particularities well since I am seeking on integrating the Middle Eastern and specially the Lebanese knowhow and spirit in the recipe of each of my product, yet since I always considered local artisans and craftsmen as our ancestors because they were the designers during the past history, they created, they prototyped, they produced and sold their products and made us proud by reflecting our cultural image…..their work is part of our history, well they even were pioneers in the creative field therefore it’s our duty as contemporary designers and architects to preserve this heritage as much as we can…. Therefore I always collaborate with them, using their traditional techniques when it comes to wood carving or marquetry, metal work, leather or even embroidery, etc… these particularities will help me to reflect and emphasize on our culture and civilization, to make it known worldwide not to mention that keep on spreading the marriage between tradition with new technologies is definitely essential to the future of design.

9. What advices could you give to beginning artists who would like to create sculptural design works ?

They should believe if they love their design then people will do.  They should have this talent innate in their character, be always motivated to work hard with the only target realizing their dreams focusing on their goals not looking behind and not letting any bad energy to mess with their career path, I think then they will be able to achieve what’s in their mind.. Work on the smallest detail as if it’s the main be picky and perfectionist to the extreme don’t hesitate and go for their own decisions, work not for the money but for the pleasure of creating.

10. If your works had to belong to a design movement, in which one would you define it ?

Maybe contemporary art deco.

11. What designers have influenced you ?

I got my motivation and inspiration from many architects, artists and fashion designers such as Le Corbusier, Tadao Ando, Anish Kappor, Yayoi Kusama, Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto.

From Le Corbusier “the light”, Tadoa Ando the beauty of simplicity with a creative use of natural light as well, from Anish Kapoor the ultimate mythical wonders … the conceptual approach of Mrs. Kusama, Rei kawakubo and her dual character the right half likes tradition and history and the left side is to break the rules, this is likewise a part of my personality when creating. Last but not least the avant-garde notion of Yohji  Yamamoto.

All those characteristics, contradictions and adjectives are part of my inner chaos and that’s why I usually incorporate the traditional knowhow in my design I love the marriage between history, religion, civilization and new approach giving birth to new philosophies..

12. What contemporary designers do you appreciate ?

Nendo

13. What contemporary artists (in any kind of art) have you been inspired by ?

Vanessa Barragao, kathleen Ryan.

14. If you had to summarize your creations in one word or sentence, what would it be ?

I should keep this to the viewer… My signature identity is mixing craziness to sobriety with a touch of fantasy.

15. Is there anything you would like to add ?

Thank you.

Proust Questionnaire with very short answers (one or a few words) :
(The Proust Questionnaire is a set of questions answered by the French writer Marcel Proust. Other historical figures who have answered confession albums are Oscar Wilde, Karl Marx, Arthur Conan Doyle, Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Cézanne…)