Today, we are interviewing Majed Veysel, an architect, a designer, and an Instagrammer.
Please tell us something about yourself.
I was born in Aleppo, Syria, when I was a kid, I already knew how to draw and find myself in space. I always loved to go and see exhibitions and visit museums. Which immediately exposed me to creativity, to open up to many different disciplines – hence the choice of architecture.
After my bachelor studies in Istanbul, Turkey in architecture, a period during which I worked parallelly in architecture offices, as well as freelancer architect, I decided to come and settle in Torino Italy and do my masters in Sustainable architecture in Politecnico di Torino which is Italy’s oldest technical university. The university offers several courses in the fields of Engineering, Architecture and Industrial Design.
Here are some of the photographs:
Who are your role models?
The truth is, I’ve never really given much thought to who my role models or idols are. Maybe I would have done if I had spent more time reading books on famous leaders in the world, but I just don’t like reading.
What inspires you?
I get inspired by the great people I surround myself with every day. Inspiration is everywhere! Inspiration in art depends on the personality and philosophy of an artist. My inspiration comes from everything that catches my attention in everyday life, not necessarily something important. Yet, it always depends on the impact left on my soul that may create emotions. My energy springs from my ability to express these things in different ways and thus to make my own creative experiences. I think that every artist must have the courage to express and show his own ideas through his work. These expressions give an artist substantial experience and background to find satisfaction and fully assume all that he creates; satisfaction here plays an essential role within the creative process.
What inspired you to enter the Architectural Industry?
Since 2013, when I started studying architecture, I have been sharing the same stuff on my Instagram profile. I share architectural photos, mostly black and white, a contrast between light and shadows, there’s always a story in my head that I try to bring to life in photography. In 2017, Instagram decided to push my profile upfront and that’s where everything expanded for me. That was when Adobe shared one of my creations “A play on light and shadow turns a dark corner into a glowing, optical illusion.”
Please tell us about your art.
I want it to not manifest, I want it to make people manifest, I want it to move people and shake them unconsciously and consciously. If there was anything my art would express then it would be the human nature “my experiences are the same as your experiences,” I have just found my own language. I do not know exactly. It may be about myself, my ideas and my emotions in a given period, or it may be a way to draw my memories, to share my dreams and my desires, and to communicate my experience and observations. My art is the expression of myself, my vision and point of view on things that matter to me and provoke my senses, by translating them in my own way.
What’s your most memorable experience?
There are greats moments that I had, and I took part in art and architecture. The most unforgettable moment was when I saw my project in the first architecture exhibition at the university. The most memorable and one of the finest days of my life.
Which social media channels work best for promoting your work? What exactly do you do on the social media channel that makes it work for you?
I would say Instagram works best, where I engage everyone! But all social media channels work well for me. I have an Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and it really helps me remain connected with everyone.
You have dropped excellent pieces on your Instagram, are you selling those soon?
I have never had a materialistic intention in my work, nor have I searched to earn money with it. The sole purpose of my art is to serve humanity. I am interested only in expressing basic human emotions ̶ tragedy, love, doom, sorrow, hope, happiness, and so on.
What are some of your favorite artists? How do they influence you?
Pablo Picasso painted his most famous picture in black and white. His repeated minimal palette correlates to his obsessive interest in line and form, drawing, and monochromatic and tonal values while developing a complex language of pictorial and sculptural signs.
How you captured more than 10 cities all in black and white
Every city has its own unique beauty, you just need to find it and express it in your own personal way, I always try to see, hear and listen to the other side of things, and I am always amazed by that, I love playing with shapes and forms and try to make new stuff from old ones, and once you start you can’t stop, There is an indescribable magic in black and white that is impossible to explain.
What’s your take on Architecture and Photography? How you see the world in black and white pureness.
Studying architecture opened my vision, I started to see the surroundings in a different way, you can basically say architecture gave me the black and white glasses and I started exploring the world with it, I love black and white because it makes everything more minimalistic, simple and easy to understand, each person has a different vision with colors, but in black and white our vision unites.
What’s your greatest fear?
I believe my freedom is a gift. And I don’t have any personal fears because I understand the reality of life, and I would rather die than not reach my true potential. My biggest fear is no longer having the freedom to create my own life.
Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
The meaning of life is – To Learn. Looking back, I really wish I understood the importance of following your dreams! I could have already been great places, but I’d like to think then was not my time, now it is!
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Working hard in silence, challenge me. Pursuing a goal that is achievable, but not necessarily easy, is a great way to increase my motivation to succeed.
What keeps you going when things get tough?
Start creating, take control, keep remembering that I didn’t come so far for nothing, and actively manage my time.
Any message for our readers.
Keep doing what you love and let everything happen naturally, never force it, but always remember that time is a precious thing, never waste it.
How can people connect with you?
Direct mail is best on my website: www.majedveysel.com or DM in my Instagram @mm.w, so many people message me on a day to day basis, so allow me some time to get back!
You can also connect through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.