Sculpture | Social Sustainable Design Polymath | Crafts Developer | SWM Consultant | Maker
Biography.
August 2022- September 2023:
Designer, Art trainer, Researcher.
- Urban SWM systems, EU context, Research. Berlin, Vienna, Netherlands.
- Architectural Design, food distribution point, space renovation supervision, Ukrainian emergency Response, food distribution, at Sluszna Strawa, initiative funded by NRC Warsaw, Poland.
- Architectural Design, concept design, business model canvases developing, Lars Foundation, Berlin, Germany.
February 2021 – January 2022: Bangladesh.
Solid Waste Management consultant: UN-WFP, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. “Short Term”
- SWM system camp level infrastructure and activities assessment, Facilities Architectural and Industrial Design, plastic recycling production methods developing, Whole System Strategies.
- Camp 9 Fire Response community volunteers team leading, site and water streams cleaning campaign.
- Non-recyclable plastic upcycling process developing.
February 2020 – January 2021: Bangladesh.
Architectural Designer: UN-WFP, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
- Developing A bamboo lifespan extension technology, promoting the bamboo as a sustainable construction material, for the use in SMSD and Shelter sectors works.
- Technical, assessment, recommendation and reports.
- Reviewing WFP partners architectural schemes. BOQ developing, As Built drawing, CAD drafting, mock up room, Electrical and IT scheme Designing. Implementation supervising.
2013- 2019: Lebanon.
Freelance Industrial/ Architectural Designer/ Trainer. Lebanon, for art and cultural institutions, collectives, NGOs and companies.
- Beirut Creative Hub – UNIDO – UNDP initiative: Sustainable design and appropriate techniques trainer. A series of workshops coordinated by Creative Mediterranean, an EU-funded project with Italian financial contribution and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO.
- Free lance, Cinematography Assistance, Cameraman. Light technician, Scenography Designer. 2015- 2017.
- MDAWAR upcycled glass studio, Production Manager/Art Director/Designer Co-founder, Beirut Lebanon. 2013-2019. American University, Nestle, Heineken, Restaurante, Riwaq Beirut, Solider,
- Free lance, KAHRABA Theatre Collective, MADA NGO, Industrial Designer, Beirut Lebanon.
- Production process Design, mechanical designer at Beirut Banana Lab initiative, fibre extracting and yarn fabricating.
- 3D designer, previsualization, modelling rendering, short term contract, at Amnesty International.
- Freelance Furniture Designer, Carpenter Assistant, Tomah Wood Workshop. Beirut- 2014-15.
- PROTOROOM, displaced community furniture, portable and self assembling sustainable furniture.
- Sculptor, Art Facilitator, business model consultant, ARA (Art Residency Alley), Lebanon.
2009-2012: Damascus
Co-founder, 3D designer, Sculptor, LISTANArt&Design, Damascus and Istanbul.
- Turkish Embassy, WW1 Ottoman Martyrs Mural, 3D Design, Sculptor Implementation, Amman, Jordan in 2010.
- Turkish Embassy, WW1 Museum, Architectural Design, Damascus.
- Turkish Embassy, Shaikh Mohiddin Bin Arabi Cemetery, renovation work planning and budgeting.
- Istanbul National Opera House, Sculptor Assistant, Istanbul Turkey.
- Bodrum Lezzat restaurants chain, 3D Designer, Sculptor, Istanbul Turkey.
- First Award 3D Design Izmir Clock Tower, municipality of Izmir- 2012.
2003-2008: Damascus.
Freelancer sculptor, 3D Designer for a several architects offices and art establishments Damascus.
- Free-lance Designer, designing and implementing project such: Le Jardin, and Caesar restaurant in Le Meridian Hotel. Ahmad Hamshoo resident House, Yaafour. La Versailles restaurant, Al-Taqi Group, Damascus.
- Project Manager/Art Director/Designer, Kuwait Marble Centre, natural marble and stone architectural ornament and cladding fabricating. Damascus Syria, Projects include: Bassam Al Saqran , Abdulaziz Al Shayee Mosque, Al Shekha Hassah Al Soubah.
- Cofounder, General Manager/Industrial Designer, at Al Imaan Marble Factory, Initiating, production system designing, Production management, stone craving machine and cutting modification machines m
- Technical and Market Consultant, Co-Founder, LISTANA, natural marble and stone production lines design and supply, Machin Operating Trainer, New Technology and materials promoting Technical specification review and report.
- Co-Founder, producer, Designer, BEEZArt, art and design studio, Damascus, 2006-2008.
Educations, Trainings and Workshops.
- Accepted into a master’s program at BRAC university, Dhaka 2022. Disasters Risk Management, (on hold).
- MA in Art Technologies, Damascus University 2005-2006. (on hold)
- BA in Fine Art, Damascus University (1997-2003).
- Photography workshop – French Culture Institute.2001
- Cement & Art Exhibition , Work & Art Atelier , Damascus in 2009
- Photography and Printing workshop – American Cultural Centre for- 2000
- Portrait modelling and molding, sculpture at Fayez Nahri studio, Damascus.
- Collective Exhibition at IFIAD , Damascus in 2003.
- 2002 Iron Sculpture workshop at “Damascus International Fair Grounds” – under supervision of Basel Al Sa3di.
Exhibitions:
- Collective Exhibition at Goethe Institute , Damascus in 2004
- Art Symposium Damascus Citadel in 2004
- Art Symposium for Sculpture , Lebanon in 2006
- Cement & Art Exhibition , Work & Art Atelier , Damascus in 2009
- Collective Exhibition at IFIAD , Damascus in 2003.
Long story….. long!
In the odyssey of our lives, as we traverse various landscapes and assimilate into new communities, we create narratives that capture the essence of our journey. These stories, transcending mere self-definition, spark a deeper understanding of our identities. This exploration is fueled by others’ attempts to unravel the complexities that have shaped us, igniting a profound quest for self-discovery.
Last year, a senior colleague’s candid observation, ‘You are rather unconventional,’ ‘you are odd,’ marked a pivotal moment for me. This comment, highlighting my uniqueness, led to intense reflection. It compelled me to examine why I was perceived in such a manner, revisiting past interactions that contributed to this perception.
Such remarks go beyond superficial judgments, pushing me beyond the confines of social acquaintanceship and deeper into self-discovery. Alone, I reflected on varied reactions from others, ranging from curiosity to acceptance and disapproval. My colleague’s insight not only sparked introspection but also helped me embrace and understand my unconventional nature. To my senior colleague and all who seek to understand, I offer a narrative that intricately weaves the fabric of my life’s experiences.
I hail from Syria, a land rich in history, yet marked by a unique war. In an extraordinary family within an unusual city, I, a talented boy, chose an unconventional university—a decision far from ordinary.
My curiosity and thirst for knowledge led me to immerse myself in a diverse tapestry of world narratives, surrounding myself with a constellation of unique friends. Among them were geniuses whose brilliance illuminated my life, each painting a vivid portrait of human existence from their distinct perspectives. In this journey, I developed a profound affinity for the extraordinary, the exceptional, and the ingenious.
muases@gmail.com
WISSAM MUASES 