Administrative Board
Hassan Choubassi Ph.D
Founder /Director
Associate Professor
Hassan Choubassi is a visual artist born in Beirut in 1970 holder of a PhD. in Communication Media from the European Graduate School, Switzerland 2014 with a thesis on the politics of mobile connectivity, “The masses: from the implosion of fantasies to the explosion of the political”, he also holds a Masters degree in Scenic Design from DasArts in Amsterdam 2005, and a BA in Fine Arts from the Lebanese American University 1996. He is currently the founding director of the Institute of Visual Communication (IVC).
He has several research studies in the field of communication media, digital and information technology in arts, augmented reality, new media in urban context, anthropological and intercultural city mapping, mobile media, alternative education, new modes of perception for university students.
His art projects including ‘Oeuvres Bacchiques’ 2000, ‘Barcode’ 2001, ‘Written Visuals’ 2002, ‘I am not the others’ 2003, ‘I am elsewhere’, ‘Lost in the city’ 2004 and ‘Beirut metro map’ 2005 were presented in Beirut, Cairo, Amsterdam, Milano, New York, London, Belgium and Spain.
His video works: ‘In the void’, ‘Freefall at 180’. ‘The Other Orange’ 2005, ‘Talk to Me’, ‘Well and Surviving’ 2006, ‘I am the
Joe Elias
Co-founder
/Associate Director
Currently based in Germany, Joe Elias is a full-time volunteer in diverse art disciplines in and around Beirut city.
After completing his studies in visual design at Notre Dame University (NDU) in 2001, he started working as a visual communicator, art director, and consultant with local/international agencies and clients around the Middle East. His skills include -but are not limited to publication, typography, branding, animation, and digital design.
In 2005, Elias co-founded “Nimslabs”, a multidisciplinary design laboratory operating in Lebanon and Germany. Nimslabs’ portolfio is diverse and encompasses communication work for both cultural and corporate entities, including international dance, cinema and music festivals, NGOs, filmmakers, as well as TV stations, banks, in addition to local and international brands.
In 2007, Elias joined the International University in Beirut (LIU/BIU) as a lecturer and juror. He helped institute curricula covering conceptual design, communication art, fundamental studies, animation, branding, and typography. He has also organized symposiums, workshops, seminars, and research presentations on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He is currently a Visiting Lecturer and Co-founder/Associate Director at the Institute of Visual Communication at the International University of Beirut (BIU). In addition to his activities at LIU, Elias was invited as a guest speaker at the Lebanese University (LU) on numerous occasions; he is also a TED speaker.
In 2013, Elias co-founded “onomatopoeia – the music hub”, a non-profit organization dedicated to the dissemination of musical culture in the Lebanese community. His work with onomatopoeia has resulted in the creation of a self-funded cultural space, hosting various music-related projects. These include the music skills development program (MSDP), an educational program allowing individuals from various walks of life to study and exchange music knowledge. Elias has organized music talks led by local and international musicologists and curated numerous musical performances encompassing a wide variety of genres, from traditional Arabic folk music and jazz to electronic and experimental music.
Sahar Sharara
Media & Communication Manager
Sahar Charara works as a project manager in Deutsche Welle Akademie, Beirut office. She gives training and workshops in specialized communication, and consultancy on image building and Media Relations.
Sahar’s enthusiasm about Public Affairs issues and social injustice led her to a Master’s in Journalism jointly from the Lebanese University + Universite Paris 2 Pantheon-Assas+ CFPJ, France.
For the past two decades, she was a teacher, advisor, and course designer at the Communication Arts and Media departments at the Lebanese International University where she taught Journalism and Public Relations classes, but also in ESP, Translation for Journalism, and Public Relations.
She has been publishing in French, Arabic, and English in local and regional print. Her interests revolve around anthropology, sociology, legislation, and culture, especially music and theater.
Sahar has completed the Master’s requirements in Linguistics, a Bachelor’s in Language, and a Teaching Diploma in Special Education all at The American University of Beirut. She is a member of Manchette Media Association, a Beirut-based community of journalists, working to improve the conditions, quality, and outcome of the industry.
Tarek Mourad
Board Member
Tarek Mourad is a Brazilian-Lebanese artist whose work revolves around the printed image, specifically in analog printmaking, such as intaglio techniques and lithography as well as analog photography. Most of his work tackles the relationships and defects within a society and space-time. He is represented in Lebanon, Brazil, and Norway.
In parallel to his art practice, Mourad is the director of Beirut Printmaking Studio and is a part-time lecturer at LIU – Lebanese International University where he teaches graphic design and art foundation courses.