Questioning Life, Art & Photography
He ended up interviewing me at one point. I was so taken by the level of depth and knowledge Araman showed during our 2 hour interview, that I actually started spilling out my personal sentiments about art, photography, politics, and life.
I kept answering his questions, and with no recollection of time, I found myself being interviewed by my subject.
Araman, an intelligent artist, the way I would describe him. Talking to him, I couldn't help but wonder about the resemblance between him and Socrates: they both reached their versions of truth by questioning everything else around them. I have always admired Socrates; consequently, my admiration of Araman was inevitable.
It didn't matter where he was from, and what belief system he followed. We talked and talked about so many aspects of life, without noticing that the bridges of cultures were connected without human intervention, without silly attempts and forced opinions.
The best thing about being an artist, or involved in art like I am, is the common ground you find with others who share the passion. Life, for a moment, becomes a series of questions and answers: humanity is what matters.
I enjoyed every second I spent talking to this young great talent, and I found it to be refreshing that some people still maintain that strong belief system of the human being, and his ability to reform the world.
Toufic, you are a photographer, a painter, a designer, would you simply call yourself an artist, and congregate all of these talents together?
I won't define myself as anything more than an observer; I don't give solutions, I simply reflect... I send subtle messages, as I believe that, in order to change someone, you need to slowly work on sending the desired message. My work takes the viewer through the journey of my thoughts, towards the exact feeling or moral I try to reflect. I want to be labeled as an effective communicator, and let that be through photography, art, painting or film making. The medium is not important, what matters is the purpose.
Why Photography?
Photography is modern and fast. I think I favor it sometimes for its production ease, the possibilities of using different media, the clarity of the lenses, and my passion for light and glass. Photography reflects fragility of the objects; it combines the different elements to produce one masterpiece.
Do you believe that people are born artists? Or do they become artists with time? In the sense, can art and creativity be nurtured and cultivated?
To be able to answer your question, I would need to define the word Artist. However, to a greater extent, does it really matter? I don't think so. Whether you are born one, or become one, what matters is your will to do something about that gift.
I believe in nurturing the artistic appetite. Whether through parental support, education systems, social investment, Art must be cultivated within the person. I am quite the pragmatic man, I can't prove to you now that artists are born that way, however I can stress on the important factors that play a role in making an Artist.
We see in your last work, a lot of symbolism is involved. Do you believe photography is ultimately the strongest form of modern art in expressing social moralities and sentiments?
Of course I don't. How can I make such a strong assumption about one form of media? Again, I say it doesn't matter what medium you use, as long as you know what to do with it. Symbolism is not restricted to any form. It's just like a weapon, it can kill, and it can protect.
It's a matter of choice.
In spite of that, the reason I might favor photography is because of its stillness. It could gather all the elements in a 10 minute film in one single frame. One shot, and the message is there: crystal clear.
Are you into photographic realism? Do you look to describe reality with your photographs, or simply enjoy the artistic freedom of subject and photo manipulation?
Photographs are not real. Thus, for me photographic realism is an issue of controversy, it doesn't hold a specific meaning. I believe photographs reflect the reality of the person behind the lens. Photography is very subjective, as a photographer I will choose my angle, and so the frame will reflect only what I have chosen to capture.
We are too involved in our emotions, beliefs and human conditions to portray objectivity in its finest forms.
There have been many excellent photographers throughout the evolvement of this form of art, which of them has had the greatest influence on you?
There are many that influence a person through his life. Influencing people affect your life for a period of time, and then you move on developing yourself. For example, for a period of time, my father was my role model, however as I grew older, other people triggered me and I moved from one phase to the other, with different perceptions.
Having said that, I don't build my creativity on a person's influence; however, I admire the pioneers, as they define the concept of uniqueness to me. They dared to do the different against the mainstream, thus becoming the first in history. An example of that is Jheronimus Bosch, who changed the way people looked at art, with his screaming painting and his vivid imagination.
I admire the nonconformist
Many artists complain about the hardships of making a living; is providing the food on the table a possible thing for you? Can photography be ultimately the only job a person could have, or are other resources always needed?
In Dubai, yes you can survive as a photographer only. However, my definition of a decent living status might be different from others. Still, Dubai is a city that allows such professions as photography to prosper without the need for other resources.
In your opinion, and from your experience traveling around the world, how do you view the development of the art of photography in the country?
Dubai is definitely developing, I have been living here for 4 years, and things have already changed. In the next 10 years, Dubai will witness a rapid growth in the Art community. The city is young; however, the opportunities here are wonderful for those who want to continue their careers in their desired fields. Photography here is winning its well-deserved reputation as an effective form of art and media, and with time, it will become a pillar of the modern city.
Many argue that photography has not been defined yet in the country, and some confuse that artistic aspect with the commercial one; do you agree?
Yes I do agree. A lot of confusion does exist, but that's why we are here isn't that right? There are a lot of perceptions that should be changed, and it is my duty as an artist as well as others' to contribute to this community by defining the art, and distinguishing it.
Toufic, why do you think you are an artist now?
Let me tell you this: I am originally Lebanese, I was born in Egypt, but lived 10 years of my early childhood in Lebanon, until the war broke out, it was then when we had to leave everything I knew behind and be shipped in a cargo ship to Egypt, a traumatic experience, which affects me still. I have seen what a child can't tolerate, and that left me with memories of loss and pain.
We moved to Egypt, familiar with the country I tried to fit in. But the truth was that I have always been an outsider, a minority, a foreigner in my home.
I was the Egyptian in Lebanon, and the Lebanese in Egypt
So to answer your question, it is when you are able to view the world from all sides and perspectives that you acquire that gentle touch of art, that reflects your deep belonging to humanity in general. Isolation also plays a great role in the birth of the artist within.
For me, this is what made me who I am today, and for that I am thankful.