b-uncut

b-Loud: Samuel Aoun Charbel – The Humanity

// January 12th, 2010 // b-loud // b-uncut

Samuel Aoun Charbel is an architect, sculptor and painter from Fanar, Lebanon. He considers himself a realist expressing  the state of humanity as he sees it through his art; evoking reactions from his audience as a truth seeker as opposed to creating merely to please/amuse the viewer. His art is dark, thick with emotion and  awe-inspiring. Charbel doesn’t consider “artist” a career choice but rather a calling that cannot be ignored. He is the second artist to be featured in the b-uncut “Special Exhibition” gallery. His exhibit “Fattoush Beirut” opens today and will last through the 7th of March.

b-uncut: What was your very first artwork?

SAC: It was a moment when I was listening to Beethoven and I was just letting myself go, freely expressing the music with  strong strokes or  soft ones…it came directly from my ear through my physical body and I couldn’t see it visually…It was this moment of expression that I considered my first piece of art.

b-uncut: Describe the one you love the most—why?

SAC: Usually the latest one, and then I hate it again and do something better or aim for doing better or more before I start to hate it again…I like my art for a short period of time, I critique my art more than I should.

b-uncut: What are your methods? Your inspirations?

SAC: I find my inspirations around me all the time; it’s the rebel feeling inside of me…we’re living in cities conceived for the benefit of a few…the interest of the ordinary people is ignored, the spatial experience is only visual to mark the power of some…it’s the lack of humanity in everyday life that creates in me a feeling that I transform into my art.

b-uncut: What did it take to make it to where you are now?

SAC: The motive….The injustice and the materialistic dominant context of our world motivates me to stand and express…it’s a responsibility that I feel inside of me and I can’t shut myself down and hide my feelings…

b-uncut: Who has helped you along the way?

SAC: I share an education and culture with a circle of friends. They stand near and support me when I need help.

b-uncut: Your paintings are intricate, expressive, and emotionally complex—does your art define you? Or do you keep your professional life separate?

SAC: Well it surely defines me, I even discover myself through my art…it’s an honest expression of the soul and state of feelings…

b-uncut: If you were to design the ultimate dinner party, what 5 artists (dead or alive) would you include for stimulating conversation?

SAC: Nureyev, Goya, Da Vinci, Beethoven, Chaplin. It would be a combination of different fields of art .

b-Quick!

b-uncut: Your favorite swear word?

SAC: …

b-uncut: Most attractive/least attractive quality in a significant other?

SAC: Most attractive is the simple combination of sensitivity and intelligence. The less is the materialistic quality.

b-uncut: Your biggest (albeit endearing) flaw?

SAC: Will know that later ( maybe in 5-10 years) due to the decisions or choices I’m experiencing at this stage.

b-uncut: Your parents advice you should have followed, but didn’t?

SAC: none

b-uncut: The superhero power you wish you had?

SAC: To fly!

b-uncut: The celebrity you’d like to meet?

SAC: Roberto Benigni

b-uncut: Your least favorite interview question?

SAC: The swear word

b-Honest!

b-uncut: Where do you see yourself in…

One month? Painting and moving images…

One year? Exhibiting a combination of paintings, sculpture and video art, somewhere in Europe.

One decade? Dead…but maybe as an example of a person who alighted on the human factor and shook open emotions with his art.