Arleb by Nabad interviews Joyce Hatem and Dina Ariss. Hatem is a photographer and works in the fields of architecture and interior design. Ariss is a designer who produces pieces using real life photography, and has experience in the advertising world. Hatem obtained an M.B.A from ESCP Europe and a Master’s degree in Architecture from the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA), where she also teaches architecture and is part of the educational committee of “the school of architecture”. Ariss graduated from the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA) with an Art Direction degree, followed by a master’s degree in Packaging Design from the Strate College in France.

Arleb by Nabad – What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?

Joyce Hatem and Dina Ariss – We put together our passion and skills to design pieces of art using real life photography and graphic design techniques. “When photography meets graphic art” is our main work concept.

Arleb by Nabad – Which subjects or themes are you working on? 

Joyce Hatem and Dina Ariss – “City moments”: the photo collection is about what is possible when two creatives of different disciplines work together. Our wide experience gave birth to a fascination for street photography, developing a special interest for coastal towns and dense cities.

Arleb by Nabad – What is your creative process like? 

Joyce Hatem and Dina Ariss – By sharing our work and experience on how we can overcome our limitations when we push ourselves out of our comfort zone; by presenting a collaboration and exploratory project; by freezing the moment through the eye of an architect, emotionally enhanced by a graphic designer’s touch.

Arleb by Nabad – What was the impact of the Beirut port explosions (August 4, 2020) on your work as an artist/creative enterprise? 

Joyce Hatem and Dina Ariss – The Beirut port explosions made us open our eyes to a very important part of our city. With a lot of emotion and sensibility we are actually working on a new project concerning this region.

Arleb by Nabad – What are, according to you, the roles of arts and culture in social, economic, environmental or political change? 

Joyce Hatem and Dina Ariss – Art is often a vehicle for social change. It has the power to influence society by changing opinions. In our region, where economic and political changes need to happen, good art should play the role of educating and creating empathy. As a communication tool, art can definitely lead to change. 

Arleb by Nabad – What are, according to you, the main challenges/obstacles facing artists/creative enterprises in Lebanon nowadays? 

Joyce Hatem and Dina Ariss – Lebanon’s cultural and artistic fields, which have long been regional models, are struggling nowadays to keep the head above water as economic and political crises deepen. The survival of creative enterprises in Lebanon means the survival of their plurality, tolerance, and freedom of expression. We will not list all the obstacles facing artists, but we will rebuild and continue…

CHECK OUT JOYCE HATEM AND DINA ARISS PROFILE AND ARTWORKS FOR SALE ON ARLEB.