Chantal Matar｜A Lebanese parametric architect and multidisciplinary visual female artist
theFOUND Virtual Art Center this TALK with Chantal Matar, an architect and multi-disciplinary audio-visual artist, was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He currently lives in London and is committed to the creation of new media art and architecture. Her generative design concept is deeply influenced by art, pop art, geology, new media, film and music.
Before Chantal joined Zaha Hadid Architects and moved to London, Chantal worked as a project architect for several international companies in the Middle East, such as Bernard Khoury architects and atelier des architects Associ é s, where she gained valuable design and technical experience. Today, her design research mainly focuses on Generative Art, audio-visual and new media art, film and fashion design. In recent years, Chantal has participated in international exhibitions such as Galerie fractal in Paris and the Venice Biennale in the Italian Pavilion,
Her creative design works explore the boundary between abstract art and conjecture art, and the spatial understanding is constantly changing. Since 2018, Chantal has been working as a senior architect at Zaha Hadid Architects, responsible for various high-end international projects at different stages. She focuses on a range of projects, from hotels to residential, retail, multipurpose and various international competitions.
Since 2020, Chantal has been teaching in many colleges, such as University College London, Bartlett School of architecture and Middle East Architecture Laboratory. Chantal combines her long experience in architectural design and knowledge of digital tools to explore exotic landscapes, linear structures and digital stratigraphy on the threshold of spatial chaos and structural continuity.
theFOUND & Chantal Matar
Q1:
As an excellent architect, you are engaged in the creation of multi-disciplinary intersection between parametric architecture and new media art. At the same time, you are also an excellent female pioneer artist. Can you briefly share your architectural design process with us?
I am a multidisciplinary designer and architect, I come from Beirut, Lebanon and I am currently London based for the last 8 years. I have worked throughout my 12 years career in different international firms, like Zaha Hadid Architects recently for the past 4 years where I immersed myself further into new digital tools and parametric design.
Q2:
You worked as a senior architect in Zaha Hadid Architects. As your personal idol, what influenced and inspired you most during your work here?
Zaha has been my idol since my early university years. I am highly inspired by her art and architecture on all spectrums. For me, it was the dynamism in her designs, fluidity, and progressive statements which are highly reflected in my own personal work. Also, her boldness, creativity and the fact of being an Arab woman in a world where architecture is largely dominated by a male presence.
Q3:
You are deeply influenced by art, pop art, geology, new media, film and music. How did you start the road of architectural design? Where does your creative inspiration usually come from?
I come from a very creative family. My brothers both are in the film and music industry, so that played a lot into my interest in new media. I also love architecture and spatial design so I find myself at an intersection point where I merge digital and media tools with architectural design. I take my inspiration from nature in general and my works reflect a celebration of nature and morphologies.
Q4:
You have participated in international exhibitions such as Galerie fractal in Paris and the Venice Biennale in the Italian Pavilion. Can you tell us about these two projects?
The first Paris exhibition was about morphologies and abstract representations of landscapes. My piece (Morphogenesis) was exhibited as it represents dynamic yet ethereal terrains. The second exhibition last year was about fractals and macro morphologies. I exhibited The Morph series, which are mythical 3D representations of the Mandelbulb, right at the intersection of science and art.
Q5:
How do you evaluate your art design concept and creative core values?
I evaluate my art and design agenda as the bridge between the abstract realm and the physical realm, whilst focusing my research on natural phenomena, geological formation, art, and also mixing sound when the opportunity allows. This creates new possibilities and opens up new scenarios for discussing specific frames within my designs, to create potential and speculative spatial designs.
Q6:
You lived in Lebanon for a long time and later moved to London to work and live. What impact do different cultural concepts have on your creative thinking?
I lived in Lebanon almost all my life, and being an architect in the middle east is a bit limiting, due to client budgets and aggressive site restrictions. Also, my education was very classical, we weren’t exposed to any digital tools or parametric Design in that sense. When I moved to London I got exposed to new ways of design, and learned all the tools I could get hold of which got me to where I am today.
Q7:
As an excellent female architect and designer, do you have any suggestions for more women in the art and design industry?
Always be curious and challenge the status quo. There will be a lot of people who try to hold you down throughout your career and your life, or they will try not to give you a voice when they notice you have a strong one, but drive through it all and maintain consistency, persistence, and resilience.
Q8:
Many construction companies of Zaha Hadid Architects and big have begun to try metaverse's virtual architecture. What do you think of the identity and possibility of architects in Metaverse? In the future, what areas do you want to study and challenge and create greater value?
When it started coming out the last year, I was very intrigued and curious about it all, however, nowadays I found myself on the other end of the spectrum. I personally believe it’s hyped at the moment, and architects who are immersing in the metaverse might be at the risk of becoming gamers and game designers more than an architect as a full spectrum. Nothing beats the physical realm. We are slowly coming out of covid now and I fear people will gradually detach from the metaverse. Only time will tell!
