Sawsan Nahhas's Friends

View All

Sawsan Nahhas's Page

Latest Activity

Profile Information

Age

I am...

a humble earthling in Abu Dhabi, coming from Damascus...

Artistic Field or Interest

architecture, theories of architecture, mass and space design, alternative energy, writing, travelling (I consider that an artistic experience!), walking around with a camera, gardening, conservation

Profession

Architecture graduate, studying and working in the field of Geophysics.

Artistic and professional experiences

I studied Architecture in Damascus University - which was my first experience exploring Damascus as a city, with its interesting web-like urban structure that I find greatly reflects the web-like social structure and everyday life.

I was lucky as a student to have had a chance to participate in a couple of large-scale projects in and around Old Damascus. The daily contact with life, streets, buildings, people in this wonderful place have formed my most precious memories until now. I chose my graduation project to be in a site in the centre of Old Damascus – the project thesis was a study for the introduction of modern space and mass relationships into the integrity of the ancient city.

At present I am studying geophysics and working with an oilfield services company in the UAE and Libya. I'm an active member of Emirates Environmental Group (a non-profit organization); as I find what we are doing to this planet as a race in general quite appalling.

Statement

Climate change is truly a worldwide threat, yet it will only wreck the planet if we remain paralysed with unreasoning, fear and inaction. I believe that, like so many other problems that we've solved, this one too can be overcome through a combination of foresight, knowledge and ingenuity. And this time - if we're really smart about it - we'll have the whole planet working together in common cause.

As third-world countries we seem to always be lagging behind in reacting to situations, always waiting for those ‘others’ to move – but as I see it, in order for us to start having a stronger grasp of our lives we should start taking initiatives, start changing this killing apathy towards our world. I believe it’s possible - it only takes reaching out to people to change their way of thinking.

I believe that art has a very important role to play in shaping a society’s vision. Through art you can touch peoples’ lives, you can bring them together, you can pass a message that would otherwise have come and gone unnoticed. I find that quite amazing!! In these iconoclastic times, communication and understanding constitute an indispensable element in the process of human interaction. And art has always been a simple yet much looked up to method of dialogue amongst humans in all places at all times.

My biggest concern at this time is the challenge of urbanization Damascus and many other major Arab cities are facing. It hurts to see traditional Damascene architecture, including houses, mosques and baths against neighbourhoods of merciless invasion of steel and concrete, of ugly satellite dishes all over roofs, of cars forcing people to squeeze against walls as they pass thru narrow alleys. It hurts to see many more things happening to the city I’m in love with… I believe there is a form of ecological urban renewal of Damascus that we need to bring to the attention of all those working in relevant sectors.

What I’m expecting from this experience is the simple joy of working on a project in Damascus all over again and a step to getting my message communicated.