NAME :
Victor Nouman.
OCCUPATION :
Architect and Artist.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN :
Spain.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE :
Between Dubai, Bangkok, and Madrid, Earth and the World.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS :
Futuristic, different and loud.
WHAT INSPIRED ‘UTOPIC ARABIA” :
Being in Dubai and reconnecting with my Arab roots, made me think of doing something mixing
tradition and contemporary.
For me, it was a way to rediscover and connect with Middle Eastern culture from an outsider perspective.
IS ‘UTOPIC ARABIA’ A DREAM OR POSSIBLE REALITY SOMEDAY :
Possible even now, it’s just a fun vision of a utopic where the future is deeply connected with traditions.
Instead of a world that has been homogenized by globalization, we believe in a future built from and
connected to the local particularities of each culture.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB :
Imagining and seeing how the unexpected happens.
WHY DUBAI :
It is a vibrant place with a huge mix of cultures, yet with strong traditional roots, and every culture keeps its own particularities. In Dubai, you can feel that you are in many different countries the same day, and that’s very inspiring.
ARE THERE DAYS YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO TO WORK :
I don’t have this issue because I work from wherever I want, maybe a cafe, home, or on a plane
.For me, my work and my personal life overlap all the time, so I don’t know anymore when I am working or not.
AT WHAT AGE DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE AN ARTIST :
I think it is something you were born with. For me, the word artist is always very pretentious.
I prefer to consider myself a businessman with some talent.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS :
Changes every day… Jeff Koons, Murakami, Hockney, El Bosco and Warhol.
Photo : Abdulla Elmaz
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON AI :
I find AI fascinating and have integrated it into my photography for quite some time.
It opens up a whole new realm of creativity and imagination.
IF YOU COULD PHOTOGRAPH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE :
I would love to capture my grandfather.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS :
Persistent, passionate and driven.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY :
To be honest, I don’t dwell much on the past; my focus is on the present and future.
IF YOU COULD SPEND A FEW HOURS WITH ANY ARTIST ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE :
Andy Warhol, no doubt. I have read all his diaries, and I have always been very curious about him. I would love to
have a long conversation with him while eating a burger.
AI CAN BE DIVISIVE, ESPECIALLY AMONG ARTISTS, YOU MAKE IT WORK PERFECTLY.
WHERE DO YOU SEE AI IN 10 YEARS :
As another tool incorporated into the daily workflow of artists and creators.
WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED CREATING ‘UTOPIC ARABIA’ :
Sometimes it is frustrating that the fiction goes faster than reality.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY :
Visiting Syria with my father. We spent all the summer there when I was 5 and I still remember
some smells. For me, it was a very impactful journey and I keep strong memories from this period.
WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A KID :
Crazy, loud, nervous, and always very curious about everything.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION :
My teeth.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE :
Ariana Grande or Lady Gaga.
CHOOSE A SUPERPOWER :
Time traveling.
WHAT IS YOUR WORST TRAIT :
Being anxious about wanting to do too many things all at once.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT :
Caffeine.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT :
Myself.
DO YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS :
Not really. I prefer fiction like movies and music.
WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE :
My sofa.
YOUR FAVOURITE MUSICIANS / BANDS :
Queen, Lady Gaga, and Saint Levant.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING YOU EVER STOLE :
The spotlight at a party.
YOU ARE HEADING TO THE ISS / INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, CHOOSE 4 PEOPLE TO TAKE A LONG :
I need only one, Joan Rivers.
WHAT WOULD A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU LOOK LIKE :
I wake up and I have an email about a commissioned project with a big budget and a lot of creativity.
Then I have a coffee and I start working on it late at night. That would be a perfect day.
IF YOU COULD BE FRIENDS WITH A FICTIONAL CHARACTER WHO WOULD IT BE
Sheldon Cooper, from the Big Bang theory.
PICK YOUR TOP 5 MAGAZINES :
Brownbook, Plastik, AD, and V Magazine.
WHAT IS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ :
My philosophy from A to C from Andy Warhol. What a great book!
WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU GAVE SOMEONE :
Better not to describe it.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU :
Revenge and challenges.
YOUR FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
Bangkok.
YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE DESTINATION :
A beach with no shadow.
WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST :
I don’t believe in bucket lists. I feel people use it to escape from their own lives.
I prefer to believe in everyday moments.
DO YOU LIKE BEING INTERVIEWED :
Sure.
WHAT’S THE CLOSEST YOU HAVE COME TO DEATH :
I am a hypochondriac person so every day I believe I am going to die.
That gives me energy not to waste my time.
IF YOU HAD A BOAT, WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED :
Nouman.
WHAT’S A PERSONAL MOTTO OR MESSAGE :
Enjoy every moment, whatever you do, have fun.
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Cover and portraiture photography by
instagram.com/abdullaelmaz
