tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86729726309264756592024-03-13T08:30:22.549-07:00Ashley's SayAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-22414131178098161332016-07-30T05:23:00.001-07:002016-07-30T05:24:12.825-07:00Stéphanie Yared: Color and Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwvJc8Ar-A0/V5ya6fyS_jI/AAAAAAAABjc/_e5QlbB8xN8QgkjAuuiFEMtNQAHU00OJgCLcB/s1600/13619856_10157245495995451_7286942930523304837_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VwvJc8Ar-A0/V5ya6fyS_jI/AAAAAAAABjc/_e5QlbB8xN8QgkjAuuiFEMtNQAHU00OJgCLcB/s320/13619856_10157245495995451_7286942930523304837_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.behance.net/boucledefeu" target="_blank">Stéphanie Yared</a> is a beautiful soul that I had the fortune to meet, not too long ago. Everything about her is inspiring and colorful, from her outfits, to her hair, and definitely her art work. Her expertise lie in art direction, illustration, and graphic design, and her work is a mix of sketches, collages, digital art, and photography. In a personal description of herself, she sums it up with this quote by Marcel Duchamp, "I have forced myself to contradict myself in order to avoid conforming to my own taste".<br />
<br />
Here is a little chat we had...</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<b><br /></b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>What moved you to start down this path?</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
Passion to inspire.</div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li> <b>How old were you when you decided this is what you wanted to do?</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
Since I was a kid, drawing has been my passion.</div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Where do you get your ideas from?</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
Life, especially the city... Beirut been a great inspiration to me. It is a beautiful contradiction! Beirut is the art of imperfection, also known in Japan as "wabi-sabi". The only thing I can say or quote is, "The death of a beautiful woman, is unquestionably the most poetical topic in the world." -Edgar Allan Poe<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-44_841pyJ8I/V5yaS4aVytI/AAAAAAAABjM/XwqIgQcN5tUDinoccDNlZv1wcyzmnhJGgCLcB/s1600/13607845_10157148756850451_352327924_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-44_841pyJ8I/V5yaS4aVytI/AAAAAAAABjM/XwqIgQcN5tUDinoccDNlZv1wcyzmnhJGgCLcB/s320/13607845_10157148756850451_352327924_n.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Is there a main message you’d like to get across through your work?</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
Everything is possible, goodness is everywhere... Seek it!</div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>How would you define your technique? </b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
Simple, transparent... well. stephilsoufness [winks]</div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Do you like working in agencies or do you prefer freelance work?</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
Agency work is a must for any designer. I used to love it, but now it’s time for me to blossom.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9QWF0Z69v7s/V5yaYAt7J5I/AAAAAAAABjU/aCDrU89Xnc42LXQD2cvdidnmIHIYp9e1QCLcB/s1600/13595469_10157148722770451_948880751_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9QWF0Z69v7s/V5yaYAt7J5I/AAAAAAAABjU/aCDrU89Xnc42LXQD2cvdidnmIHIYp9e1QCLcB/s320/13595469_10157148722770451_948880751_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self portrait - <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Stéphanie Yared ©</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>How can you describe the products of your work?</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
Well, there’s no word to describe the products I deliver upon clients' requests. As for my personal work, depending on my mood, it can be an illustration, a piece of collage, or just words. When I work, it’s a state of mind, or simply a statement of happiness, sadness or anger... </div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>What is your favorite piece that you’ve created so far?</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
Femme fatale<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVwC5DamOfA/V5yZvW4aI3I/AAAAAAAABjA/Nza2L_UoTwgMVOGLajqCaH-N3vamRWnIACLcB/s1600/13576363_10157148596820451_341925990_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dVwC5DamOfA/V5yZvW4aI3I/AAAAAAAABjA/Nza2L_UoTwgMVOGLajqCaH-N3vamRWnIACLcB/s320/13576363_10157148596820451_341925990_n.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Femme Fatale - <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Stéphanie Yared ©</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>What/Who is your inspiration?</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
[giggles] There are so many sources... I can’t say exactly. It can be artists such as Alicia Savage, Andrea Kiss, Chiara Bautista, Marcel Duchamp, Saul Steinberg, Reza Abedini, David Carson, Bill Plymton, Sir John Hegarty, Oleg Oprisco, Karl Lagerfeld... or it can be a fictional character like Don Draper.. I told you, there are many sources. it can be from a book, magazine, paintings, history, politics even! Not too sound cheesy... but also love!</div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>Which of your pieces do you feel most represents you as an artist?</b></li>
</ul>
The collage, Chaos in the Building, which I created around 10 years ago.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qyj5uHgjeeo/V5yZX5EHJZI/AAAAAAAABi8/xeqt2LP9x5s9AA9n2MCJrnojHt6dQ4JAQCLcB/s1600/13617353_10157148712885451_1516009103_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qyj5uHgjeeo/V5yZX5EHJZI/AAAAAAAABi8/xeqt2LP9x5s9AA9n2MCJrnojHt6dQ4JAQCLcB/s400/13617353_10157148712885451_1516009103_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chaos in the Building - Stéphanie Yared ©</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_544939734"></span><span id="goog_544939735"></span><br /></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>What are you currently working on? </b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
My Kneehao series [smiles] Kneehoa is a wordplay: 'Hello' in mandarin Chinese. II Ni Hao is a series of mixed media, based on photographs of my knees and expressing a moment.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PB4l8u8qB9o/V5yZ-8CuMoI/AAAAAAAABjE/V_LQavbRtrUma918BPd7-mFUudcnUghJgCLcB/s1600/13589270_10157148603215451_1864825729_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PB4l8u8qB9o/V5yZ-8CuMoI/AAAAAAAABjE/V_LQavbRtrUma918BPd7-mFUudcnUghJgCLcB/s400/13589270_10157148603215451_1864825729_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kneehao - <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Stéphanie Yared ©</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>How do you view the Lebanese art scene?</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
Great Talents indeed... Proud!</div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>What words of advice can you give to aspiring artists?</b></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white;">
Be remarkable, make it happen... "Sortez du rang".<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><b>Check out her <a href="https://www.behance.net/boucledefeu" target="_blank">Behance profile here</a>.</b></i></div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-68216538193186644212016-07-03T10:28:00.000-07:002016-07-03T10:28:00.030-07:00Marilyn: The girl with the voice and the smiles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-qK0-JQk7k/V3lEv7fnqfI/AAAAAAAABd4/Jt6oUcUuGioOBWraIniTdnLy5OtJQaCjQCKgB/s1600/13308474_982167698570821_1464385502088044778_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-qK0-JQk7k/V3lEv7fnqfI/AAAAAAAABd4/Jt6oUcUuGioOBWraIniTdnLy5OtJQaCjQCKgB/s320/13308474_982167698570821_1464385502088044778_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I first met <span id="goog_1448530381"></span><i><b>Marilyn Kasparian<span id="goog_1448530382"></span> </b></i>at <a href="http://ashleyssay.blogspot.com/2013/03/marilyn-zee-enchanting-duo.html" target="_blank">a gig featuring <i><b>November</b></i> </a>(Zee Karkabi on guitar and vocals, and Marilyn on vocals) at Nova Club, back in 2013. That is 3 years of beautiful music I've been enjoying, and 3 years of friendship with this beautiful soul. She has evolved so much since then, musically and otherwise, and she now performs as her self-titled music project, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marilyninlalaland/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Marilyn</a>, alongside some great musicians, <b><i>Alan Abi Sleiman</i></b>, <b><i>Guy Ramy</i></b>, and <b><i>Zee Karkabi</i></b>. Marilyn's drive and dedication is admirable, and her talent is truly enjoyable. I sat down with her for a little chat about her musical work, and this is what she had to say.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<b>• What moved you to start in the music industry? How old were you when you decided this is what you wanted to do?</b><br />
<br />
I don’t recall a specific age or moment where it felt like, “ok so THIS is what I want to do”, it is more of a passion that grew over the years, something that came to be naturally, like if I weren’t singing that would be odd! [smiles] Plus, the awesome feeling you get from performing is pretty addictive!<br />
<br />
<b>• What is your favorite music style?</b><br />
<br />
I don’t have one actually, I’ve got moods, [smile] but maybe I’d say I most appreciate alternative music, and I definitely love it when there’s fusion.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XslWEoMHr4I/V3lGThu-b8I/AAAAAAAABeQ/sdOM9bzK8oQnlA3L5jpswGVAgAM70J30ACKgB/s1600/11224273_811275438993382_940265991799082376_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XslWEoMHr4I/V3lGThu-b8I/AAAAAAAABeQ/sdOM9bzK8oQnlA3L5jpswGVAgAM70J30ACKgB/s320/11224273_811275438993382_940265991799082376_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guy, Marilyn, Alan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>• Who are the bands and people you have collaborated with over the years?</b><br />
<br />
Well, most notably, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with <b><i>Zee Karkabi</i></b> on <b><i>November</i></b> and with <b><i>Hisham El Hajj Boutros</i></b> on <b><i>Layercake </i></b>for a while. I recorded a song and a video with <b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Roswellband/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Roswell</a> </i></b>and had the chance to share the stage with the kick ass <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Gurumiran/" target="_blank"><b><i>GURUMIRAN</i></b></a>, as well as amazing artists from <b><i>8e Art</i></b>, including <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MichelLabexLabaki/?fref=ts" target="_blank"><b><i>Michel Labaki</i></b></a>. Of course, I can’t forget to mention <b><i>Danny Bou Maroun</i></b>, the awesome composer and friend with whom I’ve recorded my first (and unfortunately, only) original song.<br />
<br />
I am currently performing alongside awesome musicians: <b><i>Guy Ramy</i></b> (percussion) and either <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Alanabii/?pnref=lhc" target="_blank"><b><i>Alan Abi Sleiman</i></b></a> (currently working on amazing original material), or <b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/zeekarkabi/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Zee Karkabi</a> </i></b>(get ready for <a href="http://ashleyssay.blogspot.com/2016/06/zee-karkabi-isittimeyet-in-making.html" target="_blank">his album release</a>!)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yz8eqczgioo/V3lGUCcL1_I/AAAAAAAABeo/Cxhg7jOelJEG0z7QJ3poph38MTDywdaVQCKgB/s1600/Roswell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yz8eqczgioo/V3lGUCcL1_I/AAAAAAAABeo/Cxhg7jOelJEG0z7QJ3poph38MTDywdaVQCKgB/s320/Roswell.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roswell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SnH3AcCcspo/V3lGTUSlaFI/AAAAAAAABeM/emufzu4VYVEr0-tFANfVTEZvc1g6RxmTwCKgB/s1600/11140327_794904083963851_5007838551689655210_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SnH3AcCcspo/V3lGTUSlaFI/AAAAAAAABeM/emufzu4VYVEr0-tFANfVTEZvc1g6RxmTwCKgB/s320/11140327_794904083963851_5007838551689655210_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layercake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rvbZtR6DLI/V3lGUNMjpKI/AAAAAAAABeY/Xu0ro9FBCOE8FOB__RBCGrmEzu_JZkLRwCLcB/s1600/13087825_1142394132457957_8651589754740812668_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rvbZtR6DLI/V3lGUNMjpKI/AAAAAAAABeY/Xu0ro9FBCOE8FOB__RBCGrmEzu_JZkLRwCLcB/s320/13087825_1142394132457957_8651589754740812668_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gurumiran</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHQ_ZQQ0chU/V3lGJr9LCsI/AAAAAAAABeg/DX02cL4L964xEaMOEPv25bAXAimiG47eACKgB/s1600/12963600_813928185417673_1144494225561292685_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fHQ_ZQQ0chU/V3lGJr9LCsI/AAAAAAAABeg/DX02cL4L964xEaMOEPv25bAXAimiG47eACKgB/s320/12963600_813928185417673_1144494225561292685_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michel Labaki</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><b>• What is your favorite project that you've worked on, to date?</b><br />
<br />
Though I’ve loved all the collaborations I’ve had the chance to be part of throughout the years, I have got to say November. I learned so much and changed so much thanks to Zee and thanks to the fact that we were able to make music we actually enjoyed, and not only because it was in demand. There is an undeniable connection that, in a way, made us both better together than we are apart, in the opinion of many!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZViVaIWQSvQ/V3lF-SwHhhI/AAAAAAAABeE/G60etNfudfw0xJZZzAAwsLucPn1eNVt_gCLcB/s1600/11111794_794911580629768_6074326578045201193_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZViVaIWQSvQ/V3lF-SwHhhI/AAAAAAAABeE/G60etNfudfw0xJZZzAAwsLucPn1eNVt_gCLcB/s320/11111794_794911580629768_6074326578045201193_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">November live in concert at Metro Al Madina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>• What/Who is your inspiration?</b><br />
<br />
No one in specific, I don’t really identify to a specific artist or style.<br />
<br />
<b>• What is your favorite part about what you do?</b><br />
<br />
Ok this is going to sound mean, but making someone cry: to know that you’ve moved someone, that someone has received your emotion so strongly, not necessarily sad, but a beautiful one… I’m out there pouring it all out, and someone got it. There’s nothing like it.<br />
<br />
<b>• What are you currently working on?</b><br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I am not currently working on anything other than the gigs, but I have been writing and would love to turn that into original material. That is definitely something I look forward to down the line. Also, I’ve been dipping my toe in acting [smiles] <b><i>Chady Rizk</i></b> gave me the beautiful opportunity to act in his upcoming short film <b><i>“Cypresses”</i></b>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCqAzdIJfHo/V3lGT_Me5gI/AAAAAAAABeo/6AbJgOmLOtUqSwygMOD4ru_34i63EiwJACKgB/s1600/12826317_551594941668363_1878863689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCqAzdIJfHo/V3lGT_Me5gI/AAAAAAAABeo/6AbJgOmLOtUqSwygMOD4ru_34i63EiwJACKgB/s320/12826317_551594941668363_1878863689_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A still from "Cypresses"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>• How do you view the Lebanese music scene?</b><br />
<br />
Unexploited and yet brimming with untapped potential. However I am happy to see that the nightlife is largely including bands, and people like Anthony Semaan definitely do go out of their way to promote local talent. I just hope we get to a point where you can make a decent living by being a musician in Lebanon.<br />
<br />
<b>• What words of advice can you give to aspiring singers and bands?</b><br />
<br />
Be supportive of one another.<br />
<br />
<br />
Check out her music and gigs' schedule on her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marilyninlalaland/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook music page.</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-66178752415251395302016-06-12T09:02:00.000-07:002016-06-12T10:25:31.643-07:00Zee Karkabi: "is.it.time:yet?" in the making...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PYkOU5beN_E/V12H1nkWv9I/AAAAAAAABbo/3tnYeOiXcx4qzVPOVBgtixKW1Qv2T5XCACLcB/s1600/Profile-Smoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PYkOU5beN_E/V12H1nkWv9I/AAAAAAAABbo/3tnYeOiXcx4qzVPOVBgtixKW1Qv2T5XCACLcB/s320/Profile-Smoke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Strumming his guitar and belting out heartfelt tunes at our local watering holes,<i><b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/zeekarkabi/info/?tab=page_info" target="_blank">Zee</a> </b></i>is definitely an example of true talent. His talent doesn't just stop at that. With months and months of hard work, he is just about ready to release his debut album.<br />
<a name='more'></a><i><b><br /></b></i>
Entitled <b style="font-style: italic;">is.it.time:yet?</b>, the album will be produced by <b><i>Elie Akl</i></b> (<b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBrainStudioLB/?pnref=lhc" target="_blank">The Brain Studio</a></i></b>) and Zee himself. Mixing will be done by The Brain Studio, and to top it all off, it will be mastered at the <a href="http://www.abbeyroad.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>Abbey Road Studios</i></b></a> in England.<br />
<br />
He describes the upcoming album and his experience as such: "It's been an electrifying experience, recording and releasing my debut album. I've been working on the material for a while now...<br />
This current phase is just a matter of presenting a homogenous output, a complete story, with artistic elements that complement each other, sonically, graphically, and most importantly the overall feel of the album... The trip."<br />
<br />
You can see some of this illustrated in the album art and photo sessions by <a href="http://ashleyssay.blogspot.com/2015/08/youssef-nassar-ladder-of-success.html" target="_blank">Youssef Nassar</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeirutBehindTheScenes/?pnref=lhc" target="_blank">Georges Yazbek</a>.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="100%" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://cdns.snacktools.net/photosnack/embed_https.html?hash=pdzp8vzrf&t=1465747498" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="100%"></iframe>
<i><b><br /></b></i><br />
<br />
Zee's talent is raw and his inspirations include <i>Radiohead</i>, <i>Steven Wilson</i>, <i>Muse</i>, <i>Tom Waits</i>, and <i>Pink Floyd</i>, so I am definitely looking forward to this! is.it.time:yet? will be out between the end of summer and the beginning of fall... fingers crossed for an awesome result.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, while we wait for the pure magic that is unfolding, don't miss <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/622039387963259/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D&pnref=story" target="_blank">Zee Stripped</a> at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Hole-in-The-Wall-Beirut-278209728911122/?fref=ts" target="_blank">The Hole in the Wall</a> tomorrow night, <u><i><b>Monday, June 13, 2016</b></i></u>, alongside <i><b>Kristian Reslan</b></i> on bass guitars, <b><i>Simon El Khoury</i></b> on drums, and <i><b>Elie Ishac</b></i> on Ableton and pads.<br />
<br />
To get a taste of what we're in for, enjoy this video recorded as part of the <i><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeirutBehindTheScenes/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Beirut Behind The Scenes</a> </b></i>project, "Rehearsals".<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBeirutBehindTheScenes%2Fvideos%2F1572890906337890%2F&show_text=0&width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
For more from Zee, check out his social media channels:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkchAWb18h5IW2rn574dA_g" target="_blank">Zee's Youtube Channel</a><br />
<a href="https://soundcloud.com/zee-karkabi" target="_blank">Zee's SoundCloud Channel</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/zeekarkabi/info/?tab=page_info" target="_blank">Zee's Facebook Channel</a></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-81451650485041270162016-06-04T03:25:00.002-07:002016-06-04T05:01:27.153-07:00Roswell: Ghaith talks Roswell, Dubai, and beyond.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eN2_ZUapvIQ/V1KJYFEJRxI/AAAAAAAABY4/6cNHNtko3GcBmhiV7i8UAgOX4HTAzv8UACLcB/s1600/11174832_979638935414814_1566877479671261586_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eN2_ZUapvIQ/V1KJYFEJRxI/AAAAAAAABY4/6cNHNtko3GcBmhiV7i8UAgOX4HTAzv8UACLcB/s400/11174832_979638935414814_1566877479671261586_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Roswell is one of the local Lebanese bands that I listened to during my teenage years. One of the very first rock gigs I attended was an event that they were a part of. After over 10 years, I am very proud and happy to see that they have come this far!<br />
<br />
Ghaith El Horr, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Roswell, has been with the band from the start. Over the past 10+ years, a lot has changed for the band, from lineup to popularity. They have grown big, playing handfuls of gigs across Lebanon and the Middle East. In 2006, they released their first album, "Reflections". Their second release came in <a href="http://ashleyssay.blogspot.com/2012/08/supporting-some-local-music.html" target="_blank">2011 and is entitled "Out of Reach"</a>. Back in October 2012, they opened for Keane, the legendary international Rock band, for their concert at Forum De Beyrouth. Most recently, in 2015, came their third release, "Unravelling New Beginnings".<br />
<br />
With a vibrant history and a bright future, Roswell is definitely one of the best, most humble and loyal local bands out there. After attending their latest gig in Dubai, at the Music Room (which was awesome!), I got in touch with Ghaith. Here's what he had to say...<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOfrbi6qSlk/V1KsNuVolQI/AAAAAAAABZ8/vvAzNjHhEhEGhRnG3SzmgLWk6uYpzK7aQCLcB/s1600/13173197_10156832013080858_2742597010780525987_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOfrbi6qSlk/V1KsNuVolQI/AAAAAAAABZ8/vvAzNjHhEhEGhRnG3SzmgLWk6uYpzK7aQCLcB/s400/13173197_10156832013080858_2742597010780525987_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roswell live at the Music Room; Dubai; May14 16</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>• What moved you to start in the music industry? How old were you when you decided this is what you wanted to do?</b><br />
<br />
Personally, I've been into music ever since I was 3 years old. It is all I wanted to do. At the age of 14, I started playing drums and guitars, but I really wanted to sing, and I didn't have the opportunity to do so until I was 19 and we were forming Roswell. Singing in a band has always been a dream to me, yet when we started Roswell, it wasn't a very serious project at first. That came later on.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>• How did Roswell start? Tell me a little bit about your history to date.</b><br />
<br />
As I was saying, it was a fun project, we just wanted to participate in a competition. That was back in 2005. We weren't really ready but we were so excited that we ended up winning the competition, and that's when we decided to go on with it. We released our first album 8 months after that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Qx-SuWFvZ0/V1KKR96iWSI/AAAAAAAABZE/O-aTYmNEPyshbyUTXMNgqH0d81ABks5CwCLcB/s1600/223390_469291903116189_1460389701_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Qx-SuWFvZ0/V1KKR96iWSI/AAAAAAAABZE/O-aTYmNEPyshbyUTXMNgqH0d81ABks5CwCLcB/s400/223390_469291903116189_1460389701_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roswell opening for Keane; October 2012; Forum De Beyrouth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>• Where do you get your music and lyrics ideas?</b><br />
<br />
I have no idea. I really don't… We're not really inspired by certain situations or incidents, we just write stuff whenever we feel like it. Sometimes it's the lyrics first then the music, and other times it's the other way around.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>• Is there a main message you’d like to get across through your work?</b><br />
<br />
There's never one message to what we do, we just want people to enjoy our music as much as we do. Everyone can interpret each song in a different way, as long as they enjoy it. That's all what matters to us.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>• How would you define your technique as a band when it comes to writing originals?</b><br />
<br />
Again, no technique. Whatever happens, happens. Sometimes it's the music first then we write lyrics to it, other times it's the other way around. We don't work on themes. We write whatever comes on our minds.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>• What pushed you to relocate to Dubai?</b><br />
<br />
To clear that up, I (Ghaith) am the only one who lives in Dubai. Roswell is still a Lebanese-based band. I personally moved for work reasons, but i'm in Beirut all the time, and I see the boys all the time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRzCn5m557w/V1KrSHx2Y3I/AAAAAAAABZc/YOAxJqSiqr4U6w1uZjmYiMm2xyyOlYacwCLcB/s1600/1475917_864575816921127_4429687073552446306_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRzCn5m557w/V1KrSHx2Y3I/AAAAAAAABZc/YOAxJqSiqr4U6w1uZjmYiMm2xyyOlYacwCLcB/s320/1475917_864575816921127_4429687073552446306_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>• What do you miss about Lebanon?</b><br />
<br />
On a personal level, my parents and the food. On a band level… not much since we still do most of the things we used to do before.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>• What is your favorite original song, so far?</b><br />
<br />
I would have to say "This Day" from the second album. I don't know why, but I love that song. I wrote the lyrics to "This Day" literally an hour before going to the studio and recording it.<br />
<br />
<b>• What/Who is your inspiration?</b><br />
<br />
So many inspirations, and the most important non-musical inspiration to me would be my parents. God knows what I would be doing now without them.<br />
<br />
<b>• What are you currently working on?</b><br />
<br />
There are so many big plans for Roswell coming up, so many changes. Ever since we released "Unraveling New Beginnings" in 2015, we have been working on new material and new projects, some are big, and some are HUGE. Let's just leave it at that for now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uzsVgKQMlRI/V1KrW7QX7oI/AAAAAAAABZk/LEh50EAU7FoeYtWIoXI2yP3CiAx5mrreACLcB/s1600/534248_460239894021390_70327202_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uzsVgKQMlRI/V1KrW7QX7oI/AAAAAAAABZk/LEh50EAU7FoeYtWIoXI2yP3CiAx5mrreACLcB/s320/534248_460239894021390_70327202_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>• What can we expect from Roswell in the near future?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
As I was saying, we're already enjoying doing this. We've been traveling a lot lately, and much more to come. We are always writing new music, some to be released as singles, and others to be released as a full album later on.<br />
<br />
<b>• What is it like being a Lebanese talent in Dubai?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
It was weird at first, but it's a really cool place considering you have around 200 nationalities. Meeting people from different cultures could be really awesome and it would help with the music on several levels. We are proud to say that we have a fan base in the UAE.<br />
<br />
<b>• What is something you miss about the Lebanese music scene that doesn't exist in Dubai?</b><br />
<br />
Simplicity...To me music should be simple. In Dubai, I feel like there are so many rules and regulations that may take a part of the fun from the whole process.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XF5ycVirW9I/V1KrcjTIluI/AAAAAAAABZs/bMDd8k1heDoPaU_vQ4wR1IfPCqS294XDgCLcB/s1600/11238740_946376935407681_1827028923475191130_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XF5ycVirW9I/V1KrcjTIluI/AAAAAAAABZs/bMDd8k1heDoPaU_vQ4wR1IfPCqS294XDgCLcB/s320/11238740_946376935407681_1827028923475191130_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>• How do you view the Lebanese music scene?</b><br />
<br />
There are always ups and downs when it comes to the Lebanese music scene. I always had something to say about it until I actually travelled and played in different other scenes...We should be proud of what we have; it's not the best, but it's really good, and I believe it's getting better… There are so many good bands and artists coming out everyday, and that's awesome.<br />
<br />
<b>• What words of advice can you give to aspiring singers and bands?</b><br />
<br />
Very simple. Never quit. Wannabes quit; Real musicians don't. There will be soooo many ups and downs in your musical career, but you just need to embrace them all... One day you will be releasing an album in front of 15 people, another day you'll be supporting KEANE in front of 6000 people... Enjoy both!<br />
<br />
You can check out Roswell's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Roswellband/timeline" target="_blank">Facebook Page here</a>, and their <a href="http://www.roswellmusic.com/" target="_blank">Official Website here</a>. They're worth the listen!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-14276887551067005322016-04-07T10:19:00.002-07:002016-04-08T01:28:51.948-07:00My Rebuttal To "Nobody wants to stay in Lebanon. It's a miserable life"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZ-TLQyX01o/VwaUfi72FLI/AAAAAAAABPI/lpGtgPwZ9Tc0nxmidAM6iQjDjy13n43vA/s1600/Flag_of_Lebanon.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cZ-TLQyX01o/VwaUfi72FLI/AAAAAAAABPI/lpGtgPwZ9Tc0nxmidAM6iQjDjy13n43vA/s320/Flag_of_Lebanon.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/06/lebanese-refugees-nobody-wants-stay-lebanon-miserable-life?CMP=share_btn_fb" target="_blank">“Nobody wants to stay in Lebanon. It’s a miserable life”</a> – This is the title of
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/06/lebanese-refugees-nobody-wants-stay-lebanon-miserable-life?CMP=share_btn_fb" target="_blank">an article</a> that showed up on my Facebook newsfeed Wednesday morning. My first
reaction was sadness, because with the current political situation in the
country and the region in general, many people are truly finding it hard to get
by in Lebanon. However, as I clicked on the link to read more, my sadness
turned into disgust and outrage. Where did Mr. Shaheen get his information?
Where are the numbers, the statistics, and the hard facts?</div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His piece is too broadly descriptive. A poor choice of words
in the article leads the reader to believe that “Most Lebanese tend to…”
migrate by way of sea. Who said that "most Lebanese" are resorting to
migration by ferries or boats? I would like to see his research. It is about
time that international media stop exploiting the situation in the Middle East
to depict a terribly general and distorted image of Lebanon. It is very sad for
the people who have chosen that sort of migration as their only solution, but
it is not at all the entire country's situation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nobody wants to stay in Lebanon.” – With the political
unrest and social issues the country has been facing, this might be melodramatically
true, but from a very narrow vantage point. Yes, many Lebanese are migrating
for work or other reasons. Lebanese emigration has been happening for
centuries. I did some light research and found the following.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to the MPC Migration Profile on Lebanon (June
2013), Lebanese emigration started in the second half of the 19<sup>th</sup> C.
So, this is nothing new. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to the CIA World Factbook, Lebanon’s population
(July 2015 est.) is 6, 184, 701. Its Net Migration Rate is -1.1/1,000
population, and that indicates the contribution of migration to the overall level
of population change, the negative sign indicating the excess of persons
leaving the country, or the net emigration. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lebanese emigrants are holders of university degrees. We
learned about it in geography and history classes growing up, the expression “<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">hojrat l admigha” AKA “brain
drain” AKA “human capital flight”. </span>In a piece entitled The Road Not
Travelled presented by the World Bank, chapter 8 “Education and Migration”
discusses the migration in relation to education in the MENA region, presenting
graphs and numbers from the region in the years 1970 to 2001. One table,
presenting immigrants (aged 15 and over) in Canada by their country of birth
and education level in 2001, showed the following: Out of a total of 65,045.00
Lebanese immigrants in Canada, 54.60% were of “high education”, meaning tertiary
education. Discussing the “brain drain”, the piece also states, “Lebanon in
particular, followed by Morocco and Tunisia, are losing a substantial
proportion of their educated population.” Yes, that was in the year 2001, and
many things have happened politically and socially since then to change the
circumstances and create a more difficult living situation in Lebanon. Still,
does that mean that the majority of emigrants flocking to the West and to the
Gulf are doing so illegally, by boat? Would the holders of university degrees
risk illegal and life-threatening emigration in order to flee Lebanon? I
couldn’t find numbers or hard facts on legal Lebanese emigrants as opposed to
illegal Lebanese emigrants.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My aversion here is not with the statement that Lebanese are
emigrating and seeking a better life outside their country. It is not even with
the assumption that “most” Lebanese are choosing emigration. My problem is with
the generalization and the suggestion that all Lebanese emigrants are seeking
asylum by way of illegal migration. To state that this migration is mostly
being done by illegal boat transportation is ignorant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nobody wants to stay
in Lebanon. It’s a miserable life” - I believe that is a tremendously
overstated opinion. Some people are moving back to Lebanon. Some people love
the country. Some people want to stay in Lebanon. A lot of people have found
better jobs elsewhere, though they wish they could stay in their homeland.
Everyone has the right to his or her own opinion, of course, but as an Arab
(judging from the writer's name), Mr. Shaheen should realize he holds the responsibility
of not defaming his own land out of pure frustration. This is, at most, an op-ed. This should not have been posted as news to be taken at face-value. It is shameful.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Yes, I might be one of the (perhaps) few people of my generation who still have
faith in Lebanon. Yes, I do come from a privileged, educated, “white collar”
background. Yes, I might not see all of the atrocities and poverty and
deprivation in Lebanon, because it is not part of my personal environment, and
not everything is reported in the news. However, I am allowed to defend my
country from such claims, such degrading reputations, and such unsupported declarations
that might make a nice, heart-breaking headline in international news, but
seemingly have no rational or statistical backing as evidence.<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">N.B: I sent a much shorter version of the above to The Guardian (to be considered) to be posted on their Letters page. If they do post it, I will update here with the link.</span></i><br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-81104145271015162422016-03-12T23:56:00.005-08:002016-03-13T00:07:38.301-08:00Sarah Younes: Taking On Rome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfinW8OuYG0/VuUZFlo35eI/AAAAAAAABKE/wtewhXOeAoo-9I_zMd2oBk4MHmizYci_Q/s1600/painting22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfinW8OuYG0/VuUZFlo35eI/AAAAAAAABKE/wtewhXOeAoo-9I_zMd2oBk4MHmizYci_Q/s320/painting22.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sarah Younes</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a lot of Lebanese artists, Sarah relocated to Europe in order to pursue her dreams, but she still keeps Lebanon in her heart and in her work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Her art is raw and stems from a mix of inspirations. Starting as a Graphic Design and Multimedia student at Notre Dame University in Lebanon, she moved on to study at the Rome University of Fine Arts in Rome, Italy. There, she has made a name for herself among the local and expat art community by exhibiting her work and taking on several interesting projects. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I am also currently living in Rome, I am happy to say I got to see one of her exhibitions, and I could not be prouder, for she is spreading the face of Lebanese talent and art abroad, instead of the face of corruption and violence which Lebanon is mostly known for overseas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sarah has been a good friend of mine ever since our teenage years, and I am very proud to be sharing her work and a little bit about her background.</span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ao5T_8j0xwY/VuUYtwXdQ2I/AAAAAAAABKI/G4ykqpnINu8LrPNuRPOnvPnYE5T3OhTvg/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ao5T_8j0xwY/VuUYtwXdQ2I/AAAAAAAABKI/G4ykqpnINu8LrPNuRPOnvPnYE5T3OhTvg/s320/32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · What moved you to start down this path?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I was around 15, my mother took me to an exhibition at a small art studio in Jounieh, and I saw this 8 year old boy named Abraham who was exhibiting these beautiful sunset paintings, and I was just amazed at hearing him talk about his future and how he wanted to become an artist. Deep down inside, I always wanted to pursue this path, but in Lebanon it was a little more than improbable. So, seeing this kid with huge sparkling eyes talking about his passion made me feel like giving up on my dream without giving it a proper fight would be a waste of a future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · How old were you when you decided this is what you wanted to do?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I was around 17, I had been learning painting for 2 years and had two options for my future, to either go into a scientific field related to Biochemistry, or to go along with what I loved to do, which was, and still is, Arts. I had some difficulties with my graduate studies since there were no Fine Arts programs at NDU, so I chose to pursue a degree in Graphic Design-Multimedia, which would give me the tools that were essential in becoming a contemporary multidisciplinary artist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · Where do you get your ideas from?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Usually, my ideas are a mixture of internal and external factors, and they always represent my perspective on the matters at hand. I have had the fortune to have friends and family that fuel my quest for truth and reason with intellectual discussions regarding politics, arts, psychology, science etc… Those discussions brew inside me images that I usually translate into visual arts, using whichever medium is appropriate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns5znZ_y0e0/VuUY5Z_YiFI/AAAAAAAABKM/7d8G7j5NK-0C5F6fWTTQSov8RglzUYMSg/s1600/IMG_05782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns5znZ_y0e0/VuUY5Z_YiFI/AAAAAAAABKM/7d8G7j5NK-0C5F6fWTTQSov8RglzUYMSg/s320/IMG_05782.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · Is there a main message you’d like to get across through your work?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, my messages are in constant growth and evolution, depending on the situation I find myself in while working. Since a huge part of my formation was teaching, I love to transmit the passion of creation to others. I don't believe an artist should transmit messages blindly, so I like to think of my art as a constant conversation with my environment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · How would you define your technique?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, if you look at my portfolio, it includes a broad range of techniques from digital, to hand-made art. My technique is specific to the task, and it is never one style that repeats itself. So as you would imagine, defining my work as a technique is quite difficult. I am passionate, however about oil painting. The feeling I get while mixing my colors and creating a painting using my body and senses is extremely satisfying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · What pushed you to relocate to Rome, Italy?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ever since I was 16, I've had this recurring dream of painting in Italy and being immersed in an environment where art literally makes up the road you walk on everyday. When I was 18, I had my first art show in Lebanon, where I was verbally attacked by a man about the age of my father, who threw one of my paintings to the ground and called me a whore for exhibiting a topless nude oil painting. After that, I tried ‘til I was about 23 to change the Lebanese views on arts and educate the less informed about what artists are and how important it is to nurture that aspect of our existence. The breaking point came when a close person to me told me I would never make it as an artist in Italy, and I just took it as a challenge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · What do you miss about Lebanon?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My family and friends obviously :) I am very attached to my family, so being away from them for long periods at a time is hard on me. Also, my friends keep my soul afloat, so being far away is a struggle at times. Building meaningful relationships takes time, so being a foreigner and trying to create a healthy environment for yourself is a challenge. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · What is your favorite piece that you’ve created so far?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of my favorite pieces is "Expand your Mind", a kinetic sculpture I made for university last year. It was inspired by the concept of neuroplasticity, and it took a lot of research and work to make. It took me a whole semester to complete, so seeing it finalized gave me a sense of achievement and satisfaction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJnY1PyUiCc/VuUYupdNQgI/AAAAAAAABKI/-Nyitw4iYnA791WLiJzNVIQhbKJmlXJ2A/s1600/IMG_0014%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJnY1PyUiCc/VuUYupdNQgI/AAAAAAAABKI/-Nyitw4iYnA791WLiJzNVIQhbKJmlXJ2A/s320/IMG_0014%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">· · What or who is your inspiration?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Inspiration, for me, is a state of being. It is usually triggered by a set of events or situations that correspond to my internal environment. So, basically, when I find myself in a state of inspiration, which I cannot control, I just immerse myself in my work and make the run to home base :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · What are you currently working on?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Other than my thesis project for my specialization, I am excited to be working on a performative installation that treats my views on the situation in the Middle East. Also, I am preparing an Arts workshop for the MAAM museum in Rome, where I will be using arts as a medium to work with underprivileged, immigrant children. I believe artists hold a big responsibility towards today's society, and I want to use what little I know to try to create a better and brighter tomorrow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wwWadn2y0s/VuUY9ojAh9I/AAAAAAAABKM/zgQQEN6eWlYwPXg1zIL0575lsWeAZUJ9Q/s1600/IMG_0015%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wwWadn2y0s/VuUY9ojAh9I/AAAAAAAABKM/zgQQEN6eWlYwPXg1zIL0575lsWeAZUJ9Q/s320/IMG_0015%2Bcopy.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · What is it like being a Lebanese artist in Rome?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's quite interesting and challenging at the same time. Sometimes, people get fixated on where I come from and slightly dismiss my work for a greater interest in Lebanon, but I am quite pleased to tell them about my beautiful and messed up homeland. Using that interest to showcase my work is giving me a greater appreciation for Lebanon and all it has given me from the good to the bad. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · How do you view the Lebanese art scene?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Like everything else in Lebanon, it is a beautiful paradox, and I believe the artists that make up the scene as a whole are the bravest warriors we have. They fight to send their messages, and sometimes just to exist, and I have an eternal appreciation and respect to everyone standing by their voice and work in a place where it is easy to get brushed under the rug and forgotten. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8sn-jLO2HU/VuUZATNbY0I/AAAAAAAABKM/Z7aMYLos6Y4tLuAkBOLAQ0dzG3nL-UeFQ/s1600/beirut_rising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8sn-jLO2HU/VuUZATNbY0I/AAAAAAAABKM/Z7aMYLos6Y4tLuAkBOLAQ0dzG3nL-UeFQ/s320/beirut_rising.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Beirut Rising"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · Which of your pieces do you feel most represents you as an artist (your style/technique)? What about as a person (your feelings/character)?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My thesis project, which is entitled "Fly with me | Adventures of a psychonaut | Neuroscience, Art and Everything beyond", is a work in progress that includes some of my writings, paintings, and digital art and represents me as techniques and thoughts as well. It is a two-year project, which I will hopefully complete by the beginning of summer, this year. It has been challenging, keeping true to my vision and adapting to the things I learn everyday, but I am quite confident I will be able to have an honest and real project that shows my nature as an artist and human being.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · How can you compare the Roman/Italian art scene with the Lebanese art scene? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can't. It is simply not a valid comparison. Each place has its own history, culture, and circumstances. Comparing both art scenes would be an injustice to both scenes that have quite different manifestations and realities behind them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>· · What words of advice can you give to aspiring artists? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> In today's world, it is easy to give up on your views for an easier or more profitable path. My only piece of advice would be to never compromise your vision. Winston Churchill says something that resonates deeply with me. He said, "The empires of the future are the empires of the mind". He was giving a kind of prelude to the power of communication in our times, so be mindful of what you communicate and stay true :) Cheers xx</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>You can check out <a href="https://www.behance.net/sarahyounes" target="_blank">her Behance profile here</a>. Best of luck to you, Sarah!</b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-2647495708597909492016-01-17T06:18:00.003-08:002016-01-17T06:20:04.784-08:00Hello from Rome<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Month #4 in the Eternal City... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncJkaApVfho/VpuiXo8Kr7I/AAAAAAAAA_4/Jp_Qn4Rc-A4/s1600/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncJkaApVfho/VpuiXo8Kr7I/AAAAAAAAA_4/Jp_Qn4Rc-A4/s400/1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-6684858236341666092015-09-13T08:13:00.001-07:002015-09-13T08:20:58.038-07:00Boutique Hub: Minimal Is The New Black<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TgEKlL6mqZg/VfWOT3qHU5I/AAAAAAAAA0I/_wJ78wheGxk/s1600/Screenshot_2015-09-13-11-43-32-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TgEKlL6mqZg/VfWOT3qHU5I/AAAAAAAAA0I/_wJ78wheGxk/s400/Screenshot_2015-09-13-11-43-32-1.png" width="282" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Boutique Hub owner, Cynthia Chamat</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Boutique Hub is home to the beautiful creations by Cynthia Chamat, self-taught Lebanese fashion designer. Her pieces are minimalist and very unique, reminiscent of a calm, serene feeling with her chosen palate of earth colors. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As she watched and learned from her father, a fashion retailer himself, Cynthia finally took the long road through the fashion industry after pursuing Law, Politics, and Communications. Her boutique is now located in Sodeco, Beirut, and she is always ready to style you from head to toe with her very unique style. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're into simple yet classy and chic fashion in every earth color imaginable, Boutique Hub is the place to go!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Check out an interview with Cynthia about her journey and work, below...</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZstjxoZ0JU/VfWOOcEt_HI/AAAAAAAAAz4/NqeR95zRd1M/s1600/IMG_20150809_161136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZstjxoZ0JU/VfWOOcEt_HI/AAAAAAAAAz4/NqeR95zRd1M/s320/IMG_20150809_161136.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;"><b style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></b> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">How did you learn to design and create clothes?</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am a self-taught designer. I sketch, I style, and I do the
modeling. But I have yet to learn to sew and make patterns. The fact is I never
really learned to design as I specialized and worked into totally irrelevant
fields before: Law and Political Sciences, then Communication Strategy. My
Father, a fashion retailer with a career path that dates back to the glorious
70's where he worked with brands such as Ezzeddine Alaya, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and
Thierry Mugler, however always sensed in me a strong eye for style, hence he
exposed me to the world of fashion retail. I guess I simply watched and
learned from high-end Italian, French, and Japanese end-products.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Why did you decide to become a fashion designer?
Was this the path you always wanted to take?</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I never decided to become a fashion designer. Life did! I
was dying to go to fashion design school, but I was so terrified to fail, so I took
another path. Somehow my friends always knew I was meant for design. Even my
Dad stopped talking to me the Summer before I entered Law school -- True
story.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Then life kept forcing me to take turns until April, last year. I was still
just a country brand representative for a high-end international fashion brand,
handling for my Dad two local mono brand stores and a (master) plan to take
over the Middle East -- ha!<br />
But never had it occurred to me that I'd actually be forced one day so soon to
break my dealership with that brand and think of a plan B.<br />
When that happened, the timing was really bad, SS14 season had started and I
had no source of merchandising anymore. As time passed, the stores’ monthly
rents were due one after the other, and shortly after I completely ran out of
money. I was so broke I could not even take the risk of applying for bank loans
and so traveling and importing new brands became out of the question.<br />
I was so desperate that even my mother, whom had always been skeptical about
the design world in Lebanon, and had purely corporate high hopes for me,
instead decided to challenge me by lending me a small amount of money
merely enough to locally produce 60 pieces. And I won the challenge. Although
my 'collection' was tremendously late, the end-result was overwhelming. Clients
kept asking for more. Why? Because, for once, I was able to tailor-make to
their exact needs and expectations while keeping my stock at zero.<br />
To wrap it up, I simply had no other choice but to become a fashion designer
and you know what? I can finally say I now know what I am doing, and it is exactly
what I should be doing and I think I know where I could be heading next.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kHvs30b8RU/VfWOUmrbsCI/AAAAAAAAA0U/mUammx0V3IE/s1600/IMG_20150913_112833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kHvs30b8RU/VfWOUmrbsCI/AAAAAAAAA0U/mUammx0V3IE/s320/IMG_20150913_112833.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">What is your favorite part about what you do?</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dealing with people, my teams, and clients. Oh, and breaking
every rule they probably teach you at business schools - ha!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been working hard to establish a fair business. Every
person involved in the process is fairly remunerated and constantly thanked and
reminded of how important their role is and that there shall not be success if
we do not all succeed together. Most have taken my approach for granted, but
then again, that's how I have so far been able to discover the bad seeds fast
and efficiently move forward leaving them behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The other group of people I have and simply love to deal
with on a daily basis are my clients, because I believe as a designer and
stylist I have the duty to empower the people that I dress.<br />
I use a lot of psychology in the way I choose to position and conduct my
relationship with my clients. I have this idealistic approach to business where
I refuse to see clients as sacks of money. Instead, I make sure to go that
extra mile, a costly one on the short term, but definitely a winner on the long
run, where I choose to be as flexible as possible with my pricing,
customization, aftersales service, etc.<br />
Humor is also a great ingredient to my recipe. Everyone that steps out of my
shop must leave it feeling (even) better than before they stepped in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">What are your inspirations for your line?</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess I had always had a thing for the marginalized and
I’d always end up swimming against the waters to make it right for them.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
My devotion became even fiercer when I became one too as I gained 4O KG in one
year and barely nothing would fit me anymore. Everywhere I'd go, people would
tell me, “Sorry we do not sell your size”, and I was only in my late 20s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">By the time I lost the weight, my mom started going through
menopause and I watched her tiny body transform into an unusual shape and no
matter what she did to go back to her 'old self' nothing would do. She had to
accept her new looking self while she was still the same on the inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shortly after I was 'forced' to design so I guess those two
experiences have profoundly marked me and become my main inspiration.<br />
Middle-aged and large(r) women's curves, that's my challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Which explains why I tend to look for natural or high-end
(cold) synthetic fabrics and prioritize deconstruction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">What is your technique for designing and
creating your pieces?</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Due to the dramatic lack in local fabric choices, I tend to
have the process backwards.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
I start by visiting the fabric merchants where I get to touch and feel the
fabrics that are available, and that's how I design, accordingly to what I am
able to find. Every piece of fabric talks/suggests to me a specific
design.<br />
I know it may sound absurd, but I do not function in collections. I have new
arrivals every two weeks. I'd hate to bring to life something that is meant to
die shortly after. I tend to design timeless basic pieces that I revisit with a
twist or multiple functionalities. And eventually every piece adds up to
the previous pieces so that the result is constantly expanding revisited
wardrobe essentials that I can keep reproducing for as long as I may need.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWrr_0yNgdg/VfWOVehf6XI/AAAAAAAAA0c/RoxbO48W4Xc/s1600/IMG_20150731_193139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eWrr_0yNgdg/VfWOVehf6XI/AAAAAAAAA0c/RoxbO48W4Xc/s320/IMG_20150731_193139.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Who is your favorite fashion designer?</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't have a favorite. I am very fond of relatively new
designers such as Uma Wang, Junia Watanabe, Ann Demeulemeester... and of course
the masters of all times like Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake, Yves Saint-Laurent,
Jean-Paul Gaultier, etc.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Do your designs reflect your personal fashion
sense? How would you define your personal style?</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course. I would never design something I would not wear
myself.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
I do not design for the aesthetics or the fashion, and I certainly do not
follow trends. Comfort, mutliple functionality, and style, that's all I am in
it for.<br />
Black is very essential, but then again earth colors are too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am a self-made (small) entrepreneur forced to do
everything myself. So I have a very hectic life with a crazy schedule.<br />
Most of my clients are either the same or on the top of the ladder already with
big families and work responsibilities.<br />
Our clothes must be able to serve us from day to night. So timeless minimalism
is a must; Simplicity and humbleness, with an edge making space for personal
style.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><b>How do you see the Lebanese fashion design
scene?</b></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think that Lebanon is such a small country that you have
the impression everyone constantly works to be on top of their (image) game. I
withdrew from that vicious circle a long time ago, but lots of talented
designers still fall in that trap. Their designs reflect the society we live in
instead of changing it for the better. I just wish they would just care less
about the image and more about what they actually have to offer in return for
the (high) prices they ask for.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Plus most renown, emerging fashion designers come from very
well-off families which makes the scene look too elitist and intimidating for a
talented new-comer with nothing to start with but their own talent and a tiny
little capital.<br />
What about less privileged designers? And artisans? Why would no one write or
talk about them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course I am proud the scene has been booming with fashion
designers, but I would be lying if I told you I was impressed by more than four
or five of them.<br />
I think only a few brands are excellent with a perfect finishing, fair pricing,
and well-targeted segments. And only they deserve every recognition. But then
again who am I to say?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">By the way, I already have the honor to be collaborating
with one of them. Kristina Zouein, the brain behind <a href="http://www.kinasandals.com/" target="_blank">Kinamania</a>, the fantastic
unisex shoe brand that is sold in Lebanon exclusively at my store, Boutique
Hub. And soon <a href="http://www.second-st.com/" target="_blank">Second St.</a>, the concept shirt brand, will be joining us on board
too as of FW16 with a variety of 30 unisex shirts.<br />
After all, Boutique Hub. is a collaborative designer store that aims at
bringing together the most talented of the local designers scene. It can only
grow from there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRDJKecpY78/VfWOOlAutxI/AAAAAAAAAz8/z6CNUJd-8XY/s1600/IMG_20150521_165738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRDJKecpY78/VfWOOlAutxI/AAAAAAAAAz8/z6CNUJd-8XY/s320/IMG_20150521_165738.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">What is it like being a Lebanese designer?</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While it is relatively easier to start up your own business
in Beirut rather than anywhere else in the world where a stiff system combined
with harsh competition can easily crush your ambitions, being a fashion designer
in B-City can be very frustrating. The most challenging parts of the process?
Finding quality primary sources, i.e natural or newly developed fabrics when
you need them. And dealing with professional/knowledgeable workforce (speaking
of that, I’m dealing with my 9th team since a year or so -- I hope I am finally
on the right track -- if not, I shall keep trying until I succeed!)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Plus you have the 'made in Lebanon' challenge of quality
perception. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Did you have any doubts before opening your
boutique?</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For years, I worked as a communication strategist/PR and event
planner and I was really good at it... as long as it applied to my clients. I
almost never applied any of my preaching for the benefit of my own business --
go figure!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Doubts? I'd call them nightmares. And they came from three
places:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. I am a perfectionist. I never had the guts to think my
creations were special enough so why should I bring them to life or talk about
them anyway?<br />
2. Everybody else seemed to have it so perfect while I struggled so badly and
for the record I am not quite there yet.<br />
The capital. The image. The branding. The packaging. The photoshoots. The
videoshoots. The launching events. The media kits. The super-duper showrooms.
etc.<br />
3. Despite a very successful year, with a portfolio of 1,000 sold pieces, I can
still be such a shy and low profile person when it comes to promoting my work,
it is almost disgusting.<br />
Imagine I've systematically turned down every PR and exposure opportunity,
including international media, because until now I don't think I am ready yet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G7__-gdba9Q/VfWOQkW2LzI/AAAAAAAAA0E/SnDs11bw6TA/s1600/IMG_20150913_115225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G7__-gdba9Q/VfWOQkW2LzI/AAAAAAAAA0E/SnDs11bw6TA/s320/IMG_20150913_115225.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">·</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Do you have any advice for aspiring fashion
designers?</span></span></b></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes! 4 things actually:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Know exactly who you're designing for.<br />
Never compromise on quality, be it the product itself or the service that you
provide along with it.<br />
Don't let Beirut intimidate you -- you don't have to have it all to have it at
all. One milestone at a time.<br />
Never rely on your PR, friends or family. Although they may wish you all the
luck in the world, don't expect any of them to effectively help you stand on
your feet. You are on your own; perfect the actual product and let it do the
talking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ra3UNswfsc8/VfWRpJQOPUI/AAAAAAAAA0k/nURKOnDuGRM/s1600/IMG_20150731_192609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ra3UNswfsc8/VfWRpJQOPUI/AAAAAAAAA0k/nURKOnDuGRM/s320/IMG_20150731_192609.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/boutique.hub.961" target="_blank">Boutique Hub's official Facebook page here</a>, and the official <a href="http://www.mysouk.com/boutiquehub/" target="_blank">My Souq page here</a>. Happy shopping!</span></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-9821033552032832292015-09-05T22:16:00.000-07:002015-09-05T22:16:51.834-07:00Nadine Feghaly: Vivid Color And Imagination<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XW8CUoGNjkQ/VenMAf5wF1I/AAAAAAAAAyc/Ptylv1AJj9Y/s1600/Nadine%2Bportrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XW8CUoGNjkQ/VenMAf5wF1I/AAAAAAAAAyc/Ptylv1AJj9Y/s320/Nadine%2Bportrait.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nadine Feghaly by Dominika Plonska</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nadine Feghaly, Lebanese visual artist, book illustrator, graphic designer, and blogger, has been a major inspiration to me for many years now. In fact, I first started writing and blogging years back after following Nadine's blog <a href="http://violatre.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Viola'</a>.<br />
<br />
Her illustrations touch on everyday thoughts and feelings that are quite relatable and are expressed in such vivid colors! Nadine's work has been featured in many exhibitions in Beirut and Barcelona as well as several children's books. She even has a collection <a href="http://cargocollective.com/viola/Sarah-s-bags" target="_blank">Viola' for Sarah's Bag</a> as well as her own set of products with illustrations on laptop sleeves, totes, jewelry, postcards, tshirts, pillows....etc.<br />
<br />
This super talented artist now lives in Barcelona, but her thoughts and heart are always with Beirut. I am so glad to get the chance to share Nadine's work...<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· What motivated you to pursue this artistic path?</b></li>
</ul>
As far as I can remember, I enjoyed drawing and painting, but only after finishing my studies in graphic design and starting work I felt a necessity to express myself through illustrations and writings more than anything else.<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Where do you get your ideas? </b></li>
</ul>
From anything and anywhere, and like Rumi says: “What you seek is seeking you”, it feels somehow that ideas come to me mostly when I’m not looking for them, like a vision, when I’m daydreaming, wandering around spontaneously, or just being with myself in silence. I often try to look at things around me with curious and innocent eyes, as if it is the first time I see them, and so I question them…<br />
<br />
It can be a poem, a tree, or even the loss of a loved one.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-20gMsEBnVa0/VenMAX1PhUI/AAAAAAAAAy4/5MUIKH7B18M/s1600/Without%2Byou%2Bby%2Bviola%2527-Nadine%2BFeghaly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-20gMsEBnVa0/VenMAX1PhUI/AAAAAAAAAy4/5MUIKH7B18M/s400/Without%2Byou%2Bby%2Bviola%2527-Nadine%2BFeghaly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Without You" by Nadine Feghaly<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· What would you like to say through your work?</b></li>
</ul>
I guess it is more like an invitation to look at things from my own window, in a simple, sensitive, curious, innocent way, asking questions that don’t have answers, reflecting on how things are around us…<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Can you tell me about your technique?</b></li>
</ul>
I work with watercolor mostly, sometimes I use acrylic or oil pastels, then I work on it digitally to find the exact contrast, color, and composition that I have in mind.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ea7nUgyEfk/VenMC1S0tLI/AAAAAAAAAzE/7CbbQLod7AE/s1600/rumi%2Bby%2Bviola%2527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ea7nUgyEfk/VenMC1S0tLI/AAAAAAAAAzE/7CbbQLod7AE/s320/rumi%2Bby%2Bviola%2527.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Love-Window" by Nadine Feghaly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· I fell in love with your blog a little over 5 years ago. How did you get the idea to create the blog? How did people react then?</b></li>
</ul>
I’ve kept a diary, for as long as I can remember, where I used to write my thoughts, everyday experiences, or poems. And back at that time, there was no Facebook nor Twitter, nor even all those blog sites, so some friends and I started blogging as a way to share these thoughts between us. It felt like a digital diary where I could share it with close friends. And so from there, I started to share more of my writing and poetry until one day Viola’ was born to give them form and colors.<br />
<br />
I think the reaction of close friends, and later on people I didn’t know, was what kept me going with the illustrations and motivated me to draw more.<br />
<br />
I thank each and every one of them for their beautiful presence, inspiration, and support.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pMLRMi6VApo/VenMB-KZNsI/AAAAAAAAAy0/kXDHL3MBvSs/s1600/in%2Bsolitude%2B-%2Bviola%2527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pMLRMi6VApo/VenMB-KZNsI/AAAAAAAAAy0/kXDHL3MBvSs/s400/in%2Bsolitude%2B-%2Bviola%2527.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"In Solitude" by Nadine Feghaly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jebUX1JdiaM/VenMAclEbyI/AAAAAAAAAyk/8DXdXgZj5Z4/s1600/Derviche%2Bdance%2Bby%2Bviola%2527-Nadine%2BFeghaly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jebUX1JdiaM/VenMAclEbyI/AAAAAAAAAyk/8DXdXgZj5Z4/s400/Derviche%2Bdance%2Bby%2Bviola%2527-Nadine%2BFeghaly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Dancing Around My Soul" by Nadine Feghaly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Who is Viola’?</b></li>
</ul>
Viola’ is an illustrated female character who was born during and after the war between Israel and Lebanon in 2006. It feels like she is that little girl inside of me, that pure innocent self we all have inside…<br />
<br />
Through her, I started to draw my pain, dreams, emotions, questions, or anything that I wanted to express or share.<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Are there any projects currently in the works?</b></li>
</ul>
I’m currently working on some children’s books projects along with more products, jewelry, and accessories.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hyhcw-qydds/VenMC6sxd-I/AAAAAAAAAzI/tP5jpnQlRaE/s1600/where%2Bis%2Bhome%2Bby%2Bviola%2527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hyhcw-qydds/VenMC6sxd-I/AAAAAAAAAzI/tP5jpnQlRaE/s400/where%2Bis%2Bhome%2Bby%2Bviola%2527.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Where Is Home" by Nadine Feghaly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b> · Barcelona! Tell me more about that.</b></li>
</ul>
Well, I moved to Barcelona in 2012 to specialize in illustration for children’s books and then found myself getting a Masters in Art Therapy. Since then, I've lived in that beautiful Mediterranean city.<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· What is it like being a Lebanese artist in Barcelona?</b></li>
</ul>
It takes time to make roots again. I left Lebanon without really considering coming back soon. It was not easy. I learned what nostalgia really feels like, I experienced what it is to be away from your family and friends and loved ones, and as an artist I had to learn to believe more in what I do, to start from zero somehow…<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QGngqWhw8E/VenMBqutlyI/AAAAAAAAAyw/j4LVzdapdAY/s1600/Youstink%2Bby%2Bviola%2527%2BNadine%2BFeghaly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QGngqWhw8E/VenMBqutlyI/AAAAAAAAAyw/j4LVzdapdAY/s400/Youstink%2Bby%2Bviola%2527%2BNadine%2BFeghaly.jpg" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sea Of Garbage" by Nadine Feghaly<br />
"I dreamt that I came back one day only to find the city (my city, Beirut) drowning in a sea of garbage, surrounded by security forces."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· What words of advice can you give to aspiring artists?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
To be true. To create from deep within. To connect with the inner, self trusting it, and giving it a space to be.<br />
<br />
<br />
Check out Nadine Feghaly's <a href="http://violatre.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a>, <a href="http://www.nadinefeghaly.com/" target="_blank">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nadine.feghaly.viola" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/nadinefeghaly" target="_blank">Online Shop</a> for more illustrations!<br />
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-61355240171060528652015-08-30T12:08:00.001-07:002015-08-30T12:11:13.859-07:00Youssef Nassar: The Ladder Of Success<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JjTJ2r7LNgg/VeNGnbwexnI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/d6-ivOBwMtU/s1600/10865954_805223449542454_9156067391680003146_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JjTJ2r7LNgg/VeNGnbwexnI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/d6-ivOBwMtU/s320/10865954_805223449542454_9156067391680003146_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Youssef Nassar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lebanese/Canadian Photographer <a href="http://www.ashleyssay.blogspot.com/2012/08/parachutes-unlimited-art-act-2.html" target="_blank">Youssef Nassar</a> nurtured his passion for photography and film as a Radio/TV student at Notre Dame University (NDU) in Lebanon, and, since then, he has climbed the ladder, making it to the international industry and representing Lebanon with his exquisite talent.<br />
<br />
Dark and macabre themes resonate in Youssef's photographs. Recently his work in the music video industry has taken him on a journey alongside someone who he calls his idol, the prog rock wonder <a href="http://stevenwilsonhq.com/" target="_blank">Steven Wilson</a> (a favorite of mine too!) He has definitely made a name for himself in the local arts scene, and now, as he paves his way on an international level, he is certainly a character to keep tabs on!<br />
<br />
I had so many questions on my mind to ask Youssef as I've been a fan of his work for quite some time now; the dramatically touching themes and general vibe of his photographs are inspired by the music he listens to and are eye catching, to say the least.<br />
<br />
Here is the exchange we had...<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· What’s up with the dark themes in your work? Where does it come from? Do you base your photography on anything specifically related to yourself?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
Well it depends on what you mean by dark.. the themes or the lighting itself? But anyway, I really don't think that my work is dark but maybe a bit different from what we see everyday, at least in the Middle East. To me, it's more dramatic and melancholic, and it's definitely inspired by the music I listen to.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Why nudity?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
Why not?<br />
[After further questioning, Youssef preferred to leave it at that, and I agree, "why not?" Great work!]<br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAgOZw7SYmc/VeNTD9s5aLI/AAAAAAAAAyE/a_a_jQLq3QQ/s1600/11782272_1178100968882738_9162357065984300867_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FAgOZw7SYmc/VeNTD9s5aLI/AAAAAAAAAyE/a_a_jQLq3QQ/s400/11782272_1178100968882738_9162357065984300867_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>· <b> Do you see yourself as more of a filmmaker or photographer? What is the difference to you?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
I studied film making and not photography. I'll always prefer films over photographs. But it's always harder to manage to shoot a film, depends on the budget you have, the crew, locations, cast.. especially when there's no one really to "support" you. It takes more time and patience, but once it's done and finished, it feels so good. You could watch a film and fall in love with its image but dislike the film as a whole. In photography, every photograph has its own story/look to it, and it's either a good one or a bad one. Film is always harder. But the fact that I studied film making helped me a lot on the whole directing actors technique and how to approach my cast and get better results. And on the other hand, Photography made me become a cinematographer.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Can you tell me about your technique?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
When it comes to photography I'm extremely picky about the characters I choose, the locations (which are a hassle to find when there's no budget for a constructed set), perfect lighting and exposure while shooting, RAW photographs, and then go crazy in the editing/grading part.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Are you self-taught as a photographer?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
Yes, It's been 5 years now. Well, the internet helps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5XrtuYbPAs/VeNGstk3CwI/AAAAAAAAAxs/li_O50bOkL8/s1600/11164612_1109560385736797_41824996394166149_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5XrtuYbPAs/VeNGstk3CwI/AAAAAAAAAxs/li_O50bOkL8/s400/11164612_1109560385736797_41824996394166149_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· How much of a role does editing software play in your work?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
It's a major role of course, but when it comes to digital photography, there must be digital editing/grading to it. It's a tool and you have to use it, and it's not easy.<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Do you ever have doubts before posting new work?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
Not really. I'm a perfectionist and I actually love my work or else I wouldn't post stuff in the first place. But then again, I see older stuff and I'm like, "What was I thinking back then," but it's good to evolve and get mature with time.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· What would you say is your biggest achievement to date?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
Working with my idol Steven Wilson. For sure.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· I remember discovering your work through the video you filmed as a tribute to Porcupine Tree’s track “Normal”. How have things changed since then? </b></li>
</ul>
<br />
That was more than 5 years ago! It was my first try shooting something in video mode, and it turned out good. I was very proud of it back then. Now, I'm not.<br />
But that video actually brought to me several videos for local bands to shoot and direct. It's a field of practice, the more you enjoy it, the better you'll get.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KRc9Tp5AI50/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KRc9Tp5AI50?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How did you get in on the project with Steven Wilson’s “Hand.Cannot.Erase.” album?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
I went to London 2 years ago before shooting my short film "The Exhibition" to meet Steven Wilson; he had a signing session for the album "The Raven That Refused To Sing" in London followed up by a show 10 days later. So we met and I had some "Ravens" artworks prepared for him to see, and he was impressed, then I simply asked him if it would be possible to attend the whole after party/backstage thing after the show and he actually agreed. So that's when we talked and I told him that I have a script "The Exhibition" and I would love to get the copyrights to use his music in my film. That's when I got sent to Andy Leff, his manager, and we took it from there. Months later, the film was done and Steven loved it and asked the permission to upload the film on his youtube channel, but I couldn't agree to that (I wanted to so badly) because of the nude girls in my film, and I had a deal with them that it was only for film festivals. (I never expected Steven to ask for that)<br />
And since then, we've stayed in touch, until he had songs ready for the "HAND. CANNOT. ERASE." album and we started sharing ideas and he asked me to direct visuals for the live tour for "Perfect Life". He then decided to release it as an official music video. Weeks later, He asked me if I would be interested to work on another film for the song "Happy Returns", and I had to shoot it in Poland with Carrie, the girl from the album cover (that one isn't released yet). It was such an experience!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3KnRTa0IPo/VeNGsbebfnI/AAAAAAAAAx4/fi2agChx7rE/s1600/10985417_1081968948495941_519330020686030585_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3KnRTa0IPo/VeNGsbebfnI/AAAAAAAAAx4/fi2agChx7rE/s320/10985417_1081968948495941_519330020686030585_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steven Wilson by Youssef Nassar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· How did you feel going into that project with Steven Wilson? Was there any doubt or uneasiness on your end?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
He's the most humble, down to earth human/genius being. Of course I felt the pressure at first, I mean I was literally working with my idol and that itself adds the pressure. There were some films I had to watch which he had told me about, to understand the whole concept of the album better and in a visual format. But actually, and because I'm a big fan of his music, and my work is mostly inspired by his music, it wasn't that hard to achieve what Steven was looking for, and we ended up agreeing on everything.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Are there any other international collaborations coming up in the future?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
I've been working with the record label "KSCOPE" which is my favorite music label with artists such as Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, Anathema, The Pineapple Thief, Katatonia...<br />
So I just directed a recent music video for a new duo pop-dreamy rock band "The Receiver" who are signed with KSCOPE.<br />
And on another level, in the future there might be a collaboration between me and Steve Hackett (Genesis), Riverside, and others. (can't name them, I'm not really sure) and most probably with Steven Wilson again.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· You’ve also done some work with local bands. How does the creative process go on that? Do you and the band members collaborate on ideas and execution?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
It depends on the band actually. Every band looks for something different but all of them wants to appear on the video.<br />
I haven't done any video for a local band since working with Steven Wilson honestly.<br />
There are very interesting local bands, but there are issues when it comes to budgeting and I totally understand that, but I'm not interested in doing anything with almost no budget anymore. It affects every aspect of the video, and I wouldn't like that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/b6CCV6JrGwM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b6CCV6JrGwM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Tell me about your experience in Cannes.</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
"The Exhibition" was in the Short Film corner in Cannes Film Festival. It was a very interesting and special experience. I had the chance to attend the screening of "How To Train Your Dragon 2" with my tutor Dr. Nicolas Khabbaz. It was a horrible film, but definitely awesome to be in that beautiful room with all those celebrities in a bowtie event. You feel so tiny there, but definitely one hell of an experience.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· What is it like to be appreciated locally as well as internationally in the way that you are? Does it ever get to your head?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
I'm going to be honest with you; I feel the hate coming from people who work in the field and locally. Especially after the whole "Steven Wilson" thing. These are people that are somehow close to me, but it's fine with me. On the other hand, people that I've never met appreciate my work way too much, and I'm more than grateful for that. We live in a country full of hate anyway. But to everyone who's been supporting my work, from friends to strangers, you people are epic.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Being a guitarist yourself, do you ever consider leaving photography to pursue music?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
I do play the guitar, but I'm not technically good. I got to a part where I can't explore my skills anymore, but I'm fine. I'd do anything for music, but it's too bad the music scene here isn't appreciated that much. I mean, it's getting better, but it's not enough. But instead, hey look, here's Haifa's new video spreading her va**** to the world with her magnificent voice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXW-zJkgwiY/VeNGsqNES7I/AAAAAAAAAx0/hvzi2dJYJvQ/s1600/1961040_829910727035099_79702765_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXW-zJkgwiY/VeNGsqNES7I/AAAAAAAAAx0/hvzi2dJYJvQ/s320/1961040_829910727035099_79702765_o.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Your style and appearance has become, somewhat, your signature. Tell me about that. Is that just you being you?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
Haha! I always wanted to grow a beard so I did, and the rest comes with it, or else I'd look like a hobo... Though it's become a bit of a trend recently.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· How long have you been growing your beard?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
3 years maybe now, with lot of trimming.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Favorite international album/song?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
Album: HAND.CANNOT.ERASE [Steven Wilson]<br />
Song: The Raven That Refused To Sing [Steven Wilson]<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Favorite local band/musician/singer?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
I really don't listen to much from the local scene, but I do support <a href="http://thewantonbishops.com/" target="_blank">The Wanton Bishops</a> and <a href="http://www.whokilledbrucelee.com/" target="_blank">Who Killed Bruce Lee</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R9g73fTayLA/VeNGpqHX4GI/AAAAAAAAAxg/cuisvZzg20U/s1600/10955276_1092072654152237_5931028992242855127_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R9g73fTayLA/VeNGpqHX4GI/AAAAAAAAAxg/cuisvZzg20U/s320/10955276_1092072654152237_5931028992242855127_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Favorite movie?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
That's a very hard one, but if I have to choose, I'll go with "Clockwork Orange" by Stanley Cubrick.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· Is being a Lebanese talent hard when facing the international scene?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
Everything is hard when you're Lebanese.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· What words of advice can you give aspiring photographers?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
Support other photographers/artist. There's always someone better than you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bqnfiFucvbA/VeNGn2w84rI/AAAAAAAAAxc/aNVo11kSC-I/s1600/10629495_961955903830580_7716789974751572615_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bqnfiFucvbA/VeNGn2w84rI/AAAAAAAAAxc/aNVo11kSC-I/s320/10629495_961955903830580_7716789974751572615_o.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· What do you think of Lebanese talent?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
I think the Lebanese are extremely talented and especially the new wave/generation. Seriously full of talented people everywhere, but not enough support and recognition.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b>· What motivates you to keep doing what you do?</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
I simply love it and it's my passion.<br />
<br />
<b>You can check out Youssef Nassar's <a href="http://youssefnassar.com/" target="_blank">official website</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YNPhotography" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> for more pictures.</b></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-53716851463736668702015-08-23T04:48:00.000-07:002015-08-23T04:50:30.668-07:00Lebanon: Enough Is Enough<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Although today I was planning to post an interview with Lebanese photographer Youssef Nassar, I decided instead to refrain from doing so as, in light of the current situation, I feel it inappropriate and disrespectful to speak of anything other than the current crisis our country is facing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qn9nWmuVwmQ/VdmymzaaCII/AAAAAAAAAws/dLcv1x_nvHE/s1600/11887541_10156002219820241_7550916318147175996_o%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qn9nWmuVwmQ/VdmymzaaCII/AAAAAAAAAws/dLcv1x_nvHE/s400/11887541_10156002219820241_7550916318147175996_o%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from yesterday's protest by Patrick Mouzawak taken from Facebook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a name='more'></a><br />
It has been several weeks since Beirut's principal landfill was shut down and no solution was found for the growing piles of trash on our streets, threatening citizens' health and further exposing the corruption of the Lebanese government.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, thousands of Lebanese citizens took to the streets to protest against the issue of trash flooding our country, under the motto #YouStink #YouReek طلعت_ريحتكم# . The peaceful protestors, among them many women, children, and elderly, were met with tear gas, water canons, rubber bullets, and live ammunition. Many citizens were hospitalized. Many people are still down on the streets.<br />
<br />
Political and activist writing is not my forte, but I would like to share my solidarity with the men and women who are down on the streets. Hopefully soon we will wake up to a better Lebanon that we won't be ashamed of, a better government that we can truly stand behind, and a better future for us and our families.<br />
<br />
Here are some posts from Lebanese bloggers about what went on yesterday:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="http://blogbaladi.com/what-the-hell-happened-yesterday-in-riad-el-solh/" target="_blank">Blog Baladi</a></li>
<li><a href="http://stateofmind13.com/2015/08/23/when-we-protested-and-the-lebanese-government-tried-to-kill-us/" target="_blank">A Separate State Of Mind</a></li>
<li><a href="http://hummusforthought.com/2015/08/23/what-happened-on-saturday-the-22nd-of-august/" target="_blank">Hummus For Thought</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ginosblog.com/2015/08/22/the-polices-brutal-crackdown-on-yesterdays-protest/" target="_blank">Gino's Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="http://claudeelkhal.blogspot.com/2015/08/welcome-to-downtown-alcatraz.html" target="_blank">My Beirut Chronicles</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
This is the campaign's official Facebook page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tol3etre7etkom" target="_blank">Tol3et Re7etkom</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-24628966606560783032015-08-16T13:36:00.001-07:002015-08-16T13:36:54.462-07:00RockRing: They're Back!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEVpdSH-YyQ/VdB7odRiikI/AAAAAAAAAv8/BmBs3x5xuQk/s1600/SFposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QEVpdSH-YyQ/VdB7odRiikI/AAAAAAAAAv8/BmBs3x5xuQk/s400/SFposter.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
As I was once a metal/rock enthusiast, the news was music to
my ears: RockRing is back! After a 3 and a half year hiatus, <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">RockRing</span></span> is
back with its main pillars Roy Naufal, Maher Mardini, and Elie Salloum. Their
comeback event, the 4th installment of <span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">Summer Fusion</span></span>,
will be hosted at Mocean (Kaslik) on August 28, 2015.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://summer-fusion.com/" target="_blank">Summer Fusion</a> is one of their signature events with previous
installments in 2008, 2009, and 2010. This year 14 bands of various genres and
styles will take to the stage for a concert that is, without question, the
biggest platform for local bands. Aside from live musical performances, your
ticket will grant you access to the pool and beach at Mocean, starting 11 AM
and going on into the night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sat down with the guys for a very fun chat (which quickly
turned into a chicken wings and fried pickles feast). Here's what they had to
say...<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><o:p><br /></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><o:p><br /></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><o:p><br /></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><b style="text-indent: -18pt;">Tell me a
little bit about the start of RockRing.</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><u>Maher</u>:</b>
Roy used to organize concerts starting in 2002, so we met at Cherry’s in 2006.
Our first event together was Back to the Roots. It was kind of like, “let’s do
a concert like old times” and it happened… Later on, in 2007, [Elie] Salloum
and Roy organized Global Battle Of The Bands [GBOB] together and I joined in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
Roy and I were friends before; we used to know each other through bands: I used
to manage bands and Roy used to play in a band. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
GBOB 2007 was the first time we announced the name RockRing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
Yeah the name came up on MSN actually… [laughing]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
In Lebanon, Bands can either play in a pub or a big festival or concert. Pubs
are small and boring, and big events need connections. That was the idea behind
RockRing, to be a middle ground to give all bands equal opportunities and events.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher</b></u>:
Yeah, so basically, we were remembering the concerts we used to attend at Mad
Wheels. So we decided to get all the bands back together in the same place and
that’s how it started. Then there was Back To The Roots II and III, Tribute
Hall I and II, Summer Fusion I, II, and III, Rock For Peace, Global Battle Of
The Bands I and II, HAIL! I and II…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Why the long hiatus?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
We got a bit busy with our professional work, other than making events.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
Our careers ‘flourished’ [air quotes, laughing].<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
Basically at that time all of us started building our careers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
We switched from college life to business. I was starting my company Grind
Design & Development.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
Yeah, we’d just finished college and started working.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
We’ve found the time now, 3 and a half years later. We’ve established ourselves
in our careers, at least in a way to be able work on events again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
Mainly from my side, my company grew steadily that now I now have a good team
that can work independently of me, so this gives me a bit more free time to
focus on other things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Outside of RockRing, what do you
guys do for a living?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
I’m managing partner of Grind Design & Development, Head of Development at
Louaize School, studio owner, and I’m also starting a developers’ workshop and
training program for schools.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
I’m a professional monkey… [laughing] (He’s an engineer!).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
I work in hospitality.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECJ1K8ca64s/VdB7tCStYEI/AAAAAAAAAwM/5RrwnQgv76Q/s1600/gbob%2B2011%2Bimg_3431_resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECJ1K8ca64s/VdB7tCStYEI/AAAAAAAAAwM/5RrwnQgv76Q/s400/gbob%2B2011%2Bimg_3431_resize.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GBOB 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">What got you in to the Rock scene
to begin with?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
It started with a band. It was an idea for a school event… that’s how I
started, and then it grew.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
For me, it started with me playing music by myself for a long time. Through
forums, I met other people and we started to play together and make fools out
of ourselves [laughing], so I started playing in bands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
I managed bands. I liked to organize small events; my friends were musicians. I
helped them out organizing their first concerts, helping them with their bands
and everything having to do with their music.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
After starting our own bands, we started organizing small events to play in,
then we moved on to RockRing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
We were all in the same scene. We faced the same difficulties; we became
friends and we started working on improving things.<span style="line-height: 16pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">What is your motivation to be
back?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
We noticed a big gap in the scene since we stopped. This gap is the reason we
started in 2006. It’s still there. There are a lot of bands and lots of
potential but everyone is disconnected; there’s no common ground.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
There are no other organizers offering bands a good environment to play live
and equal with opportunity. It’s either big and international or back to pubs. There’s
no middle ground... <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
So we’re back to doing what we used to do before by doing events and mixing up
newer bands with older bands to help them expose themselves and gain more
experience.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">What is new with RockRing now
that you are back?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
Other than the events and GBOB, we will start RockRing club, will be a
community trying to build the scene with activities and gatherings as a
platform to unite Lebanese bands and help promote them and keep the creativity flowing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
We’re also building a platform for
musicians and bands… it’s a meeting ground for everyone to find each other, to
promote yourself or your event through the whole system without going through
Facebook and handing out flyers…etc. It starts local and will grow
international. One other project, the directory and the website promoting the
Lebanese bands; they can search and check their music, and at the same time we’ll
be trying to have this kind of music be exposed to new people. Usually this
kind of music is not on the radio, so we’ll try to be the source.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
We always had the idea of RockRing being a community, and not a company. Now
with more experience, we are able to better achieve that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
We’re not a company in the traditional sense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
We’re more of an organization…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
Musicians for musicians… that’s our motto.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AGtRtuReumw/VdB7n_0eavI/AAAAAAAAAv4/T8pRPTdEjbs/s1600/IMG_4189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AGtRtuReumw/VdB7n_0eavI/AAAAAAAAAv4/T8pRPTdEjbs/s400/IMG_4189.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Fusion 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><b style="text-indent: -18pt;">So, what
was your first official event?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
GBOB was the first event we organized under the name of RockRing. The final
took place in London, December 2007.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
We represented RockRing as national directors at GBOB in Lebanon. In London,
there was a round table meeting with all the directors from all over the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
At the meeting, they all talked about their average attendance at each GBOB
event. Lebanon’s GBOB exceeded everyone’s attendance by far, and everyone was really
impressed with what we were able to do!<span style="line-height: 16pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="line-height: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">What is your favorite event so
far?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
Global Battle Of The Bands.<s><o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
My favorite is the first HAIL!* event at Tantra. I remember, I was standing
above the stage watching the show. The place was full and literally everybody
was moving to the music. It was amazing. As for the yearly events, I’d say Back
To The Roots.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
The first HAIL! event… and Summer Fusion is nice because it’s a beach thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
I hate the beach. [laughing]</div>
<div style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*[HAIL!
is the all star band made up of some of the top artists in the international
rock and metal scene. It was the highest caliber metal lineup to ever come to
Lebanon. RockRing organized HAIL!’s trip and performance in Lebanon twice, with
different lineups. 2009: Tim “Ripper” Owens, Andreas Kisser, Paul Bostaph,
David Ellefson &<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2012: Tim “Ripper”
Owens, Paul Bostaph, James LoMenzo, Dave Linsk.]</span></i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">How about your worst experience
so far?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
I think we’d all agree on the same thing…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
HAIL! II because of logistics, but Tribute Hall II at La Cite, the ventilation broke
down…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_Prl6tJgNk/VdB7c7LWClI/AAAAAAAAAvk/q5171LjBQiU/s1600/470295_10150799046481224_826780133_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="146" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_Prl6tJgNk/VdB7c7LWClI/AAAAAAAAAvk/q5171LjBQiU/s400/470295_10150799046481224_826780133_o.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAIL! II 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">What is it like to work with
local bands?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
Good question… <s><o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
It was like a family thing when we started, it became easier to work with them,
they got used to us…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
compared to other organizers, we communicate with them on the same level. We
know what we’re doing because we’re musicians, so they trust us<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><u>Elie:</u></b>
We were doing it because we like it. We’re from the same scene<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
They’d see us headbanging in other events.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">What about the downside?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we’re friends with all bands,
sometimes making decisions is hard as we also see every happy and sad face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">How do you see the local
Rock/Metal scene now that you’re back?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
There are lots of bands now, lots of activity and lots of practices going on,
but there is no real platform for them to grow. So it goes back to either a
small pub event or the other extreme.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
The bands don’t have a link from the small pub events to the huge festivals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
I noticed that the experienced and pro bands don’t have enough events to play
in for the new bands to look up to them and compare standards.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
When we used to do our big events, newer bands had something to look up to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
The bands don’t have an event to connect them together, to see each other….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
Metal is also a genre that we support, it kind of disappeared since we stopped.
There hasn’t been any new exposure to metal bands and metal music. The few
international bands who came to Lebanon under big promoters had few opening
acts by local metal bands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
The newer bands seem much friendlier and amicable between each other. They seem
close.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
There were so many personal issues between bands.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
Yeah, now I don’t see it. Everyone is more supportive it seems.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8M53B-6ljo/VdB7nJhN6qI/AAAAAAAAAvw/2RT9I2gkap0/s1600/IMG_8344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8M53B-6ljo/VdB7nJhN6qI/AAAAAAAAAvw/2RT9I2gkap0/s400/IMG_8344.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood Ink at Summer Fusion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">What is new with Summer Fusion
this time around?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
Same concept. This year, Summer Fusion is like CPR to the music scene. The hype
is huge. There are people who haven’t been in touch for 4-5 years that are
getting back in touch. Even staff who used to work with us are getting back in
touch. Some people are planning their travel plans to come back for the event. Our
aim is to make it bigger. This event is the first spark<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
We’re trying to recreate the connection.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
We decided to start again with one of our most successful events and a great
concept.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:
</b></u>Our jobs and connections in our careers, they’ll help us achieve more, and help
us to make adjustments. We were basically still students, now we have much bigger
potential, which we are trying to make use of.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
Summer Fusion is something that people don’t find in other events. We’re
already doing something different in the scene; there aren’t any events where
you can swim and listen to all these genres of music.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
The concept of the event is just a huge meeting ground for everyone, which is
why we decided to start with this event.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
People are expecting it to be the same, so we’re not changing too much, we’re
improving from what we’ve learned over the past 3 years and other events, but
we’re not changing the basic concept. For the future, we’ll see…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
We might have a second stage next time…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
In the future, more music, better experience for the people…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
More music, more fun!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Tell me more about the lineup for
Summer Fusion 2015.</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
The lineup was a bit hard to choose because there are a lot of new bands. We’ve
had to check out all the bands. There’s been limited time and a lot of bands,
and we’ve tried to include one band of each different style to create a big
variety. We’ve also included big bands alongside new bands to keep the same
level. The bands start with warm up acoustic chill music, then music that goes
better with swimming, then sunset, then it gets more hyped up, then it cools
down again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OOaPLluwKQ/VdB7ci-ZaXI/AAAAAAAAAvg/_0D7Vg3sg6Y/s1600/1915703_223364681223_4162070_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OOaPLluwKQ/VdB7ci-ZaXI/AAAAAAAAAvg/_0D7Vg3sg6Y/s400/1915703_223364681223_4162070_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Ellefson - HAIL! I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Are there any plans for upcoming
events on an international scale?</b></li>
</ul>
<u style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><b>Maher:</b></u><span style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
We never say no to that idea.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
It depends on logistics. There are potential plans, but they’re still
unconfirmed. We brought the biggest people in Metal to Lebanon (HAIL!). That
was the first time <a href="http://www.rockringlb.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=40&pos=1" target="_blank">Metal Hammer</a> or international metal magazine ever wrote a
full page on Lebanon. HAIL! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even commented
on the event, calling us “the best and youngest organizers of the whole
European tour”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
Abba* said we were the youngest and most professional organizers he’s ever
worked with <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*[Mark
Abbatista manages many big artists, including HAIL!]</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><b style="line-height: 16pt; text-indent: -18pt;">After Summer Fusion, what can we
look forward to?</b></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
Global Battle Of The Bands! It’s the biggest band battle in the world, and RockRing
is the only official licenses holder in Lebanon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The
winning band gets the chance to represent Lebanon internationally… And this
will be the third round of GBOB in Lebanon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Maher:</b></u>
The rules are easy: The bands must play originals, for a duration of 8 minutes,
and they must play live.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Elie:</b></u>
Yeah, No recordings whatsoever. They can play any genre.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<b><u>Maher:</u> </b>Anything is accepted as long as those rules are kept. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<u><b>Roy:</b></u>
Bands have already started signing up for the upcoming GBOB.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qHSRsALq5M/VdDxbeKwiwI/AAAAAAAAAwY/NJ0_xZRtG3M/s1600/summer-fusion-pool-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4qHSRsALq5M/VdDxbeKwiwI/AAAAAAAAAwY/NJ0_xZRtG3M/s400/summer-fusion-pool-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Fusion 2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
For
registration or more info on the Global Battle of the Bands, click <u><b><a href="http://summer-fusion.com/rr_events/global-battle-of-the-bands/" target="_blank">here</a></b></u>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
Check
out the Summer Fusion Facebook event page <b><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1415386778790620/" target="_blank">here</a></u></b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
Stay
updated with all of RockRing’s news through their official Facebook page, <u><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rockringlebanon?fref=ts" target="_blank">here</a></b></u>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
RockRing
is partnered with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Mozart.chahine.schoolofmusic?fref=ts" target="_blank">Mozart Chahine</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BachMusicInstitute?fref=ts" target="_blank">Bach Music Institute</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/moceankaslik?fref=ts" target="_blank">Mocean</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-62739737278492589602015-08-09T02:24:00.001-07:002015-08-13T02:52:11.538-07:00Lara Zankoul: From An Idea To Reality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXWoybDe_7Q/VccTtPeUQAI/AAAAAAAAAuI/g2EhNhHXHLY/s1600/Mug%2BShotx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXWoybDe_7Q/VccTtPeUQAI/AAAAAAAAAuI/g2EhNhHXHLY/s400/Mug%2BShotx.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">Lara Zankoul by Cathy Lê Thanh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It all started by leafing through fashion photos in magazines. <br />
<br />
Then, at the age of 21, she started splitting her time between her corporate job and her love for photography.<br />
<br />
Since then, Lara Zankoul has risen to become an iconic piece in the Lebanese photography scene.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Lara, the highly creative, self-taught photographer, has migrated from a background in economics to a full-fledged photography life, and as she puts it, "...<i>even 6 years later, I consider my decision, to this day, to be one of the best [decisions] I've ever made.</i>"<br />
<br />
Being a self-taught photographer definitely has its ups and downs, but for Lara it turned out well. "<i>The challenge was to fill all the technical gaps and to discover all the aspects of photography on my own, which is more time-consuming</i>...", she says, but she also adds, "<i>The pros were that I had no pre-built rules, no rights and wrongs- I had the freedom to experiment without any preconceived ideas or formulas.</i>"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ejXqFBjIMA/VccVTcdUoJI/AAAAAAAAAug/1j48a2OwArg/s1600/3%2BMAD%2Binterface%2Bfinal-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ejXqFBjIMA/VccVTcdUoJI/AAAAAAAAAug/1j48a2OwArg/s400/3%2BMAD%2Binterface%2Bfinal-2.jpg" width="400" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Untitled by Lara Zankoul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Her work is mostly based on human psychology and the human psyche. She also draws inspiration from dreams and her own daily experiences, "<i>It's interesting; just looking around at my surroundings can set off an idea in my head.</i>"<br />
<br />
Here is some more from our little chat:<br />
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span><b>· What is it you want to say through your work? How do you accomplish that?</b></div>
<div class="p2">
It depends. Sometimes I want to talk about one theme and I build a series around it, like "The Unseen". For my individual photos, I'll take independent concepts for each.<br />
In conceptual photography, the hardest part is the <i>passage from idea to reality</i>. The implementation of the photo is sometimes harder than predicted, can have limitations that were not expected. Because of this, it is always important to plan ahead of time and be well prepared. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span><b>· Are you ever unsatisfied with the final result?</b></div>
<div class="p2">
Yes! Many times actually. Because I experiment a lot, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. Regardless, I value every failure, because it is a lesson learned.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span><b>· Your underwater series, “The Unseen”, touched me deeply. Where did you come up with that idea and how did you go about doing it?</b></div>
<div class="p4">
The first idea that lead to the series was the image I would later title "Frennemies". After completing it, I liked the under-above water technique so much that I kept at it for the remainder of the series.<br />
The idea resulted from an accumulation of experiences linked to the disillusionment with people's transparency. Some people are more transparent than others, but all people hide a lot of things, be it consciously or subconsciously.</div>
<div class="p4">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-49a3K1S1Xo8/VccVSj_JB_I/AAAAAAAAAuU/ffsafKz12nE/s1600/Hurtful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-49a3K1S1Xo8/VccVSj_JB_I/AAAAAAAAAuU/ffsafKz12nE/s400/Hurtful.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Frennemies" by Lara Zankoul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RN-tKAtZOs/VccVURo8ZtI/AAAAAAAAAuo/nqzPA_a-ydU/s1600/Feminine%2Bside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RN-tKAtZOs/VccVURo8ZtI/AAAAAAAAAuo/nqzPA_a-ydU/s400/Feminine%2Bside.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Feminine Side" by Lara Zankoul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmcRqlRpYiM/VccVXBahpHI/AAAAAAAAAuw/GUSuNy3iNUI/s1600/The%2BZoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmcRqlRpYiM/VccVXBahpHI/AAAAAAAAAuw/GUSuNy3iNUI/s400/The%2BZoo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"The Zoo" by Lara Zankoul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span><b>· Your <a href="http://www.larazankoul.com/cinemagraphs" target="_blank">Cinemagraphs</a> are quite reflective. What gave you the idea to put those together?</b></div>
<div class="p2">
Animated GIFs are all over the internet, and I wanted to create something conceptual and artistic with technique. The ideas behind my cinemagraphs revolve around a search of freedom. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span><b>· Can you tell me about your technique?</b></div>
<div class="p2">
This is how I usually plan a shoot: First, I recruiting and interview models, come up with ideas for the theme of the photo/series. Next, I'll contact the studios where I'd be interested in executing the photo shoot, then explore the options for set design, costumes, etc. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span><b>· What do you think makes your work yours?</b></div>
<div class="p2">
I consider the signature of my work to be my composition style, color treatment technique, and the visual elements and symbolism found in each one of my photos. There are also elements that recur throughout my work, like fog and water, traditional Lebanese houses, etc.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p5">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span><b>· </b><b> Where do you find your models?</b></div>
<div class="p5">
Sometimes they're friends, sometimes they're people my friends introduce me to, and other times I recruit models by word of mouth or by putting up auditions on my Facebook page. It's really nice to get to work with a variety of people, both those I've known previously, and those I get to know on set!</div>
<div class="p5">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span>· <b> What was your family’s reaction to the concepts portrayed in your work?</b></div>
<div class="p2">
They were impressed and surprised. At first I was shy to show them but as my work progressed, they supported me all the way.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span>· <b>Did you ever have any doubts prior to making your work known to the public?</b></div>
<div class="p2">
At first it was a hobby, so posting my work was fun--I didn't over think it. I was very happy creating imagery and wanted to share it with the world.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s05KXtco3fE/VccVidR9ywI/AAAAAAAAAu4/CVutNPJPW_w/s1600/giving%2Bin%2Bto%2Bclouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s05KXtco3fE/VccVidR9ywI/AAAAAAAAAu4/CVutNPJPW_w/s400/giving%2Bin%2Bto%2Bclouds.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">"Giving In To Clouds" by Lara Zankoul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span>· <b>What is Lebanese talent to you? Do you identify as a Lebanese artist?</b><br />
Lebanese talent is any talent originating from Lebanese people.<br />
Aside from my settings in Lebanese traditional houses, I consider my art universal, with no cultural frontier. Because of this, I was criticized at the beginning of my career for not including Lebanese identity in my photos.<br />
However nowadays, I believe globalization exposes people in all countries to very similar products and aspects. I've seen this firsthand during my travels, and I can vouch for the fact that persons share similarities all over the world. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span>· <b>How do you see the Lebanese photography scene, specifically, and the Lebanese art scene, generally (pros/cons)? </b><br />
The Lebanese photography scene is definitely growing, and there are many talented Lebanese artists producing amazing works. </div>
<div class="p3">
<span class="s1"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span><b>· What words of advice can you give to young, aspiring photographers? </b></div>
<br />
<div class="p5">
Always push yourself--get out of your comfort zone, listen to critique and be open to how you can better yourself. You can find your own style in your own creativity, so always be true to yourself. Most of all, have fun with what you're doing, and as long as you love photography you'll always find joy in it.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p5">
</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">•<span class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></span>· <b>What motivates you to keep doing what you do?</b><br />
PASSION. Creating staged photos gives me purpose and brings me happiness. My greatest form of expression is with pictures. I'm less of a fan of words--my memory and my language are visual.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>You can check out Lara Zankoul's official <a href="https://www.facebook.com/larazankoulphotography?pnref=lhc" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> and <a href="http://www.larazankoul.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> for more of her work.</b></div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-37131898526524148882013-08-02T02:27:00.001-07:002013-08-02T02:31:26.046-07:00Nathalie J. Bandage Releases Her First Single<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">An amazing singer and someone who happens to be a very close friend of mine, Nathalie J. Bandage, has just let out her first single, "No Answers". This song is a heartfelt, rocking ballad that expresses feelings about a love story that never had an end. Collaborating with her on this track are Doug Kastaros and Alan Azar. So, you should definitely check it out! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Xs5jMttNao?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"A story that talks about a love that ended without any closure.. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Dedicated to everyone who believes!"</span></i></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-84262830961591969672013-03-11T05:14:00.001-07:002015-08-09T02:39:49.056-07:00Marilyn & Zee : An Enchanting Duo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last Thursday, March 7, 2013, I had the pleasure of watching <b>Ramzi (Zee) Karkabi</b> and <b>Marilyn Kasparian</b> along with <b>Patrick Khoriaty</b> in a live, acoustic performance at <b>Nova Club</b> in Sin El Fil. And what an enchanting performance it was!<br />
<br />
The event started at 10 pm with only a few people in the audience. The crowd was not very big, but that's probably expected for a week night and at that late hour. Nevertheless, the set up was great. Zee and Marilyn sang their hearts out as Zee strummed along on his acoustic guitar and Patrick accompanied him for a few songs on the bass and sometimes the guitar. Zee's voice is beyond amazing! Husky, deep, wide-ranged, passionate... his vocal skills are definitely praise-worthy as is his guitar playing. He is the front man of the much loved Lebanese band, "Linger", and therefore has experience in the field of music and performance.
Marilyn looked very sweet and lady-like, sitting on the stool opposite Zee. When she first began to sing I was taken aback. I had never heard her perform before, though she has been performing for awhile as she was the vocalist of the band "Phobia". Her voice is deep, raspy, and flawless, reminding me somehow of a mix between Martha Wainwright, Amanda Palmer, and Lisa Hannigan... the best qualities in these women's voices shone through in Marilyn's voice. I was caught between a sense of envy and awe. Hands down, she is the best Lebanese female vocalist I have heard to date!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--OFo-w_s95s/U9dQJvvd7BI/AAAAAAAAAek/qHWTxF9cuq4/s1600/10566347_10154520127870045_1653680052_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--OFo-w_s95s/U9dQJvvd7BI/AAAAAAAAAek/qHWTxF9cuq4/s1600/10566347_10154520127870045_1653680052_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>
The way the place was arranged conjured up an intimacy between everyone present and made the performance just that much more heartfelt. The tables and couches were arranged around Zee and Marilyn who were sitting on stools at the center of it all. Candles decorated the tables and a few dimmed spot lights shone around the room. There was an abundant flow of popcorn to the tables along with a few drinks as 'the cherry on top' of an entertaining evening.<br />
<br />
The duo covered a long list of well known hits by some great artists; to name a few: Muse (Endlessly), System of a Down (Lonely Day), Damien Rice (9 Crimes), and Amy Winehouse (Back to Black). One of the most touching songs Zee performed solo was Pink Floyd's Mother. Marilyn's solo performance of I'll Kill Her by Soko has to be my favorite performance of the evening. Their very sensual duet of the song Evelyn Evelyn (by Evelyn Evelyn) made me speechless! Although I had to leave a few minutes early, I'm pretty sure I caught most of the magic and my honest opinion is that Zee and Marilyn are one of the most talented duos around. They definitely give other bands in the scene a run for their money.<br />
<br />
You can catch them Thursday (10 pm) at Nova Club, Sin El Fil and Sundays (9:30 pm) at Calvados, Broumana. Check out their Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/zeekarkabi/info">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y17sCXQHe_8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y17sCXQHe_8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Y17sCXQHe_8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-63981818350624626832012-09-06T01:23:00.004-07:002012-09-06T01:56:47.930-07:00I'm not impressed, Leila...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EU8F9NgtIZE/UEhgKFNvO2I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/KrEIn47QiQ8/s1600/185454_10150257112748806_1019394_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EU8F9NgtIZE/UEhgKFNvO2I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/KrEIn47QiQ8/s320/185454_10150257112748806_1019394_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="clearfix mbs pbs -cx-PRIVATE-fbTimelineUnitActor__root " style="border-bottom-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; zoom: 1;">
<div class="-cx-PRIVATE-uiImageBlockDeprecated__smallContent -cx-PRIVATE-uiImageBlockDeprecated__content" style="display: table-cell; vertical-align: top; width: 10000px;">
<h6 class="-cx-PRIVATE-fbTimelineUnitActor__header" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mashrou3leila">Mashrou' Leila</a> posted on their Facebook page, Tuesday September 4th: "we will not be opening for the red hot chili peppers on september 6 in beirut"</span></h6>
<h6 class="-cx-PRIVATE-fbTimelineUnitActor__header" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></h6>
<h6 class="-cx-PRIVATE-fbTimelineUnitActor__header" style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small; line-height: 17px;">So, I love Mashrou' Leila and I've listened to their music, watched them perform, reviewed them, met them, interviewed them, and supported them in general for quite a long time... But I'm no fan of their decision to back out of opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert tonight. They knew what they were getting themselves into when they agreed and heavily advertised and promoted their performance. It's very unprofessional to back out last minute, even if they decided to do so due to threats or "solidarity" with whatever cause. I'm not impressed, Leila...<br /><br />What do you think?</span></h6>
</div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Picture: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150257112748806&set=a.10150257094453806.318674.131783523805&type=3">Live from the EL Hal Romancy Concert at the Hippodrome</a></span></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-55034778065730256062012-08-31T23:19:00.002-07:002012-08-31T23:22:16.914-07:00"Take Entertainment Back" <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Just sharing something I support....</b></div>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ielC4Y09Pyw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-40201096410760033982012-08-30T06:00:00.000-07:002015-08-09T02:41:16.548-07:00Supporting some local music...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Being half Lebanese - though I actually think of myself as a "purebred" Lebanese ;) - and proud, I've created this blog in order to support and promote local talents, i.e: Lebanese talents! There are tons and tons of current talents of various backgrounds, styles, and motivations. Some express their talent in the form of music, others through film making, painting, designing, writing.... The common thread that lies between all of these wonderful artists is the fact that they are Lebanese, and for the most part, proud to be so. Those are the talents I like to support.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Roswellband">Roswell</a></b> is a band that's been around for quite some time now. I remember watching them perform live at a university sponsored music festival (<i>AUST, Saida</i>) when I was just starting to build my interest in music and live events, which was years ago. First of all, their musical style is heartwarming and pleasant to listen to in a live performance. It's nothing too heavy on the ears, yet not so mellow that it becomes boring. They have some great originals- 2 albums worth, to be exact- and own up to some great renditions of modern hits by<i> 3 Doors Down</i>, <i>Creed</i>, and the likes. This short introduction does them no justice; however, it is necessary in order for me to be able to bring to light the release of their first music video.<br />
<br />
<i>Like No Other</i> is one of Roswell's original songs, and, in my opinion, it exceeds expectations, especially for the style and genre the band covers. I was really impressed when I heard the song, and accompanied by the music video, it really is mind-blowing- to think that the music, acting, directing, filming, and production were all done locally is uplifting.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/q6WBcM1gGjM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>
<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/175145815877469/">The Weeping Willow</a></b> is another band I've been following recently. Apparently, they've been around since 1996, and, in truth, I can tell you I wasn't listening to their music back then; however, I can still state my opinion as a fairly new fan: They are one of the greatest metal bands in Lebanon! Alongside some other great godfathers of the Lebanese metal scene (is that an accurate expression?) they have helped build our local crowd of musicians and dedicated concert go-ers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This group of headbanging guys have got 3 albums already under their belts, with an upcoming, 4th studio album, <i>Impale</i>, that is expected to be released very soon. The Weeping Willow has promised a concert at which the album release will take place<i>. </i>So, local supporters and fans will be able to catch the band live, which is really exciting since, lately, they haven't been seen performing much!<br />
<br />
Catch a sneak peak from The Weeping Willow's upcoming album, Impale. This song is called The Last Mourn.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/QqiX2wQ_rpE/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QqiX2wQ_rpE&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QqiX2wQ_rpE&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-91229075802495356392012-08-17T02:28:00.000-07:002015-08-09T02:40:41.907-07:00Parachutes - Unlimited Art - Act 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Presenting more photography, live music, short films, and
even a poetry reading, the second edition of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/168123443322963/">"Parachutes"</a> took
place on Wednesday, August 15 and was yet again proof that the arts are not
extinct in Lebanon. Although a smaller group of people showed up at <i>Nova Club</i> to
be a part of the audience, the headcount was still pleasing, and, all in all, the
night was very entertaining! <b>Roland Azar</b>, on sound, had it all under control
with the system’s set-up and maintenance. <b>Nathalie Jeha</b> and <b>Rachel Maksoud</b> were
looking Rocker Chic as they presented their event and introduced the artists
while <b>Patrick Mitri </b>snapped away with his camera.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmlM3eKSvUw/UC4N1NnbfRI/AAAAAAAAAIc/KnFIiIkipgQ/s1600/Ambiance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZmlM3eKSvUw/UC4N1NnbfRI/AAAAAAAAAIc/KnFIiIkipgQ/s400/Ambiance.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a name='more'></a>
Starting off the night was <b>Mona Bassil</b>, a “jack of all
trades”. She is a writer, voice over artist, TV director, magazine journalist,
DJ, and singer, and last night she gave us a taste of her poetry and prose. Standing
elegantly, charming the crowd with her fluent French accent, she read a
selection from her published book of poetry, <i>Maelstrom</i>. She continued on with a
few of her English pieces, grabbing the audience’s attention with her perfect
tone and moving stance. “Emotional Bankruptcy…” , and my concentration was focused
on her compellingly raging voice and the message she wanted to get across. I
found myself reflected in a lot of her words, and as an aspiring writer myself, I can say
that was my favorite part of the evening.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next came the short films section. As in the first event, a few
student films were screened, followed by the audience’s commentary, feedback,
and questions for the directors. The films covered contemporary topics which I
believe everyone in the audience could somehow identify with. <i>Choufouneh Hebouneh</i>, by <b>Imad Halimi </b>(AUST),
is a short romantic comedy focusing on the struggle of fitting in; a timid,
awkward young man tries to fit in with his peers and catch the attention of his
crush. <i>Hatta Fi Wakten Akhar</i>, by<b> Sana Radi </b>(Lebanese University), is a short
drama film portraying our society and our generation’s life and struggle as a
young girl seems stuck between her family life in the village and her social
life down in the city. <i>A Baalbek</i>, by <b>Samir Syriani</b> (USEK), is based on experiences
and happenings which occurred on Samir’s way to Baalbek during the shooting of
another one of his projects which was later scratched; it portrays some comic
and yet serious notes on life in Lebanon as a couple take their first road trip
to Baalbek. <span style="font-style: italic;">Side Note: “A Baalbek” has won Special Jury Mention at The NDU Film Festival, Best Short Film at the European Film Festival, and it is included in the Official Selection at the Gulf Film Festival in Dubai, the Arab Film Festival, the Cabriolet Film Festival, and the EuroArab Film Festival (Spain). Samir has also been invited to represent his movie as a guest at the Oberhausen International Film Festival in Germany.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JOh8mpzBgsA/UC4OA13bTRI/AAAAAAAAAIk/F6G8NynhZe8/s1600/Directors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JOh8mpzBgsA/UC4OA13bTRI/AAAAAAAAAIk/F6G8NynhZe8/s400/Directors.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the photography segment, <b>Youssef Nassar</b> presented a
slideshow of his photographs in addition to his cinematography reel. His photos
ranged from fashion photo shoots, to landscapes, and, his specialty, portraits.
His talent is unmistakable and was particularly portrayed in his compilation of music videos and short film clips. I especially enjoyed the snippets of his film
projects! He has an interesting and quirky style which greatly appealed to my interest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SELsKNFkgqo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Closing up the show were <b>Maria Az</b> and <b>Sherine Atat</b> with some
live music for us to enjoy. The duo did well, performing a short yet pleasing
set. Some great songs were covered, including <i>Uninvited (Alanis Morissette)</i>, <i>Sunrise
(Norah Jones)</i>, and <i>Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley)</i>. As I listened to their interpretations
of those songs, I couldn’t help but realize how similar Maria’s voice is to
Norah Jones’ . Closing my eyes, I could feel the intimacy glowing in her voice.
The spotlight was on the pair, Sherine was playing her heart out on the
keyboard, Maria was singing along, hitting ,nearly flawlessly, the ringing,
high notes… It was a great performance! They finished up and got out of the
spotlight only to be placed back in the spotlight again when Maria’s friends surprised
her with a birthday cake. Needless to say, she was surprised! Happy birthday
Maria! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V4DUzKZ6ukE/UC4ONRzbBDI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Moss9iOOZXM/s1600/Artists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V4DUzKZ6ukE/UC4ONRzbBDI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Moss9iOOZXM/s400/Artists.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once more, I must say how gratifying it is to be surrounded
by an artistically influenced crowd of people who are willing to share their
talents with their fellow artists. It must take some nerve to put down all timidity
and shyness in order to present their personal work for everyone to see. I also
appreciate the constructive criticism the audience has been offering. So far, I
have not heard any sly remarks or comments; it all seems to be in good spirits,
in attempt to support and encourage these upcoming artists and help them down
the path of success. Cheers to the directors, musicians, singers,
photographers, writers, organizers, and supporters that made this event happen!
Keep it up, art takes effort!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://ashleyssay.blogspot.com/2012/08/parachutes-unlimited-art.html">Check out the review of Parachute's first chapter.</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/parachutes.lebanon">Click here to check out the event's Facebook page.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672972630926475659.post-52225887119963110372012-08-08T06:46:00.006-07:002015-08-09T02:41:55.330-07:00Parachutes - Unlimited Art -<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The idea is to have a once-a-week gathering of like-minded
artists, performers, and talents to present and discuss what they have to
offer. Organized by <i><b>Nathalie Jeha</b></i>,<i><b> Rachel Maksoud</b></i>, and <b><i>Roland Azar</i></b>, the first
installment of <b><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/239951042793337/">“Parachutes”</a></i></b> was held at <i>Nova Club</i> in <i>Sin El Fil </i>on Tuesday,
August 7, 2012. The night presented music, short films, and photography, all
courtesy of some very talented, newly surfacing Lebanese artists. The inspiration
for the event came about when Nathalie decided it was time to gather as many
artists as possible under one roof, in one event, to highlight their abilities
and to help push them into the spotlight. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYZeG4SA0IM/UCJtcPcxqDI/AAAAAAAAAF0/nL80Zkn_U3g/s1600/p1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lYZeG4SA0IM/UCJtcPcxqDI/AAAAAAAAAF0/nL80Zkn_U3g/s400/p1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a name='more'></a>
<b><i>Nour Nimri</i></b>, accompanied by <b><i>Anthony Abdel Massih</i></b>, opened the first
<b><i>“Parachutes”</i></b> show with his impassioned, acoustic renditions of some great songs
such as <i>Street Spirit (Radiohead)</i>, <i>Black (Pearl Jam)</i>, and <i>Run (Snow Patrol)</i>. Speaking
for myself, I’m enchanted-head over heels-obsessively replaying his voice in my
head-excited for the next time I get to hear him again…captivated! These days, with
all the fresh bands forming and seeking gigs and events to debut in, I find it
hard to catch a really talented musician/singer. You’ve got to sift through
them all very well to get a handful, or two, of legitimately talented performers.
Nour Nimri is one of those talented few! Anthony Abdel Massih also played a major
role, strumming alongside Nour and making the music come alive. Cheers to them!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now on to the short films… four movies were screened. Each
screening was summed up with a discussion/debate where the audience got to ask
questions and give comments. Everyone intently fixed their eyes on the
projector screen and absorbed the individual profoundness characterizing each
movie: <i>Anarchy</i>, a film by <b><i>Beatrice Moukhaiber</i></b> <i>(NDU)</i>, <i>Kello Ndif</i>, by <i><b>Shadi
Maanna</b></i> <i>(AUST)</i>,<i> Paradise Realm</i>, by <i><b>Elie Choufany</b></i> <i>(USEK)</i>, and last, but certainly
not least- especially because it was my favorite, <i>Al Arrab</i>, by <i><b>Maurice Lattouf</b></i>
<i>(ALBA)</i>. Barely a sound was heard when the films were being projected and I
found the eager silence odd for a Lebanese group of heads, keeping in mind that,
as Lebanese people, we are naturally loud and boisterous about everything we do.
Following the silence was an enthusiastic round of applause wrapping up each
film. The audience was enthralled by these fresh college graduates who so bravely put their projects up for comment and criticism. All comments turned out to be supportive and constructive, in attempt to encourage and promote these filmmakers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-secOaCsp3GI/UCJtfIAt8PI/AAAAAAAAAGE/_Qu3d4TE0No/s1600/p3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-secOaCsp3GI/UCJtfIAt8PI/AAAAAAAAAGE/_Qu3d4TE0No/s400/p3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, <b><i>Cliff Makhoul</i></b>, a gifted Lebanese photographer,
presented his project in the form of a slideshow, with emphasis on the
importance of creating a project with an underlying theme and concept. His
photos depicted urbanism and the not-so-ideal reality in which Lebanon’s architecture
frequently comes out of: Generation to generation of buildings, built
window-to-window, with little to no greenery and clear skies in reach. His
photos were well received by the crowd and brought on some insightful questions
and comments. Personally, the pictures brought to me a realization of the truth
that we live in, and I hope it struck some sense of “call-to-action” in the
architects and engineers of the audience.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mnGTOZzeGn0/UCLGbynMdeI/AAAAAAAAAGU/PxKCu8htqqk/s1600/cliff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mnGTOZzeGn0/UCLGbynMdeI/AAAAAAAAAGU/PxKCu8htqqk/s400/cliff.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYqWAwoF0CE/UCJtdpyAqxI/AAAAAAAAAF8/YVgSbGgwtJo/s1600/p2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYqWAwoF0CE/UCJtdpyAqxI/AAAAAAAAAF8/YVgSbGgwtJo/s400/p2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Closing the event, Nour Nimri and Anthony Abdel Massih once again took center stage as they riveted the crowd with some more ear-pleasing, heart-wrenching
tunes. I left Nova feeling truly satisfied and filled to the brim with positive
vibes. The first <b><i>“Parachutes”</i></b> event has proved itself to be one of the best (actually,
in my opinion THE best) art exhibition/show/gathering-whatever you want to call
it. Normally, when a small, local gig is organized at <i>Nova</i>, or anywhere else,
the show-up is poor, the bands are not all satisfactory, the crowd is not
always engaged, and the sum up of the event is “okay”. I was really impressed with last night’s congregation of
art-lovers and even the media exposure, with <b><i>Beiruting.com</i></b>, <i><b>Al Akhbar</b></i>
newspaper, and <b><i>Future TV</i></b> covering the event.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Raw, unrefined emotion and a mature, yet artistically fulfilling
display of truly indefatigable talent… I’d give it two thumbs up, for lack of additional
thumbs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>-Photos belong to Beiruting.com-</b></i></span></div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360964926562323585noreply@blogger.com3