We were lucky to catch up with Maamoun Tobbo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Maamoun, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

In 2015, while entrenched in the monotonous grind of an architectural firm straddling Paris and Beirut, I found my life veering towards an all-too-familiar corporate drudgery. My soul felt ensnared in an environment where egos clashed and recognition was the coveted prize, a stark contrast to the freedom I sought through my performance arts hobby. It was an escape from the rigid confines of my profession, a breath of fresh air in a suffocating room. But amidst a battle with severe depression and a quest for purpose, I made a decision that would alter the course of my life. I took a month’s break to venture into the unknown terrains of the united states , guided only by a yearning for something more.

It was as if the universe conspired in my favor, leading me to the NYC Tisch design show opening on a day that seemed like any other. That event was the turning point, introducing me to a community that would redefine my understanding of what was possible. I found myself at a crossroads, contemplating a fusion of architecture and acting to carve a niche as a set designer. Yet, doubts clouded my vision. Questions of feasibility, financial constraints, and the lack of connections in NYC loomed large, casting shadows over my aspirations. But what appeared to be a dead end transformed into a testament of faith and trust in the unknown, guided by my intuition.

Taking the leap to abandon everything familiar and follow my heart wasn’t merely a risk; it was a monumental shift towards self-liberation. It marked my emancipation from the cultural shackles and conventional pathways that had long defined my existence. This journey wasn’t just about career transformation; it was a deep dive into the realms of self-discovery, growth, and awakening. Along the way, I honed my craft as a designer, each step a stitch in the fabric of a life reimagined. That risk, daunting as it was, turned out to be one of the most significant and life-altering decisions of my life, proving that sometimes, the greatest achievements stem from the courage to pursue the whispers of one’s heart.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

wellness, my career is a testament to the transformative power of art. I am Maamoun Tobbo, an artist whose work transcends traditional disciplines to explore the depths of human experience and connection. My academic foundation includes a Master of Arts in Architecture from the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Scenic/Production Design from NYU Tisch, which paved the way for a profound exploration of space, narrative, and embodiment. My transition from a corporate architecture environment to the dynamic world of theater and film design was sparked by a deep desire to create more immersive and meaningful experiences. My work, ranging from evocative stage settings for theater productions to award-winning film design, seeks to challenge conventional boundaries and encourage deep audience engagement. In 2021, I founded ThEmptySpace, an embodiment lab dedicated to leveraging the healing potential of storytelling and artistic expression for societal change, mental health advocacy, and environmental awareness.
What sets my work apart is the integration of holistic practices with creative expression, aiming to provoke introspection, nurture the imagination, and foster a sense of collective well-being. Inspired by visionaries like Alejandro Jodorowsky and movements such as Dadaism and Surrealism, I strive to create spaces where participants can explore their psyche, unlock creative potential, and experience collective healing. My work invites audiences to participate actively, breaking the fourth wall and redefining their role from passive observers to engaged creators.
I am most proud of my ability to facilitate transformative art rituals that invite deep self-discovery and growth. Through ThEmptySpace and my diverse creative projects, I aim to highlight art’s capacity to serve as a catalyst for personal and societal transformation. To potential collaborators, clients, and followers, I offer not just my services but an invitation to embark on a journey towards greater understanding, healing, and transformation together.
My mission is to continue navigating the intersection of art and wellness, inspiring change within us and the world around us. Whether through set design, directing, or the experiential workshops of ThEmptySpace, my commitment remains to leverage the transformative power of art to inspire, heal, and enrich our collective human experience.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2020, my world, like everyone else’s, flipped upside down. But for me, the chaos wasn’t just global; it felt deeply personal. I was wrapping up my time at NYU Tisch, caught in the whirlwind of finishing a thesis that suddenly felt like it was crumbling between my fingers. The pandemic wasn’t just a backdrop; it was an unwelcome guest in my small New York apartment, pushing me into corners I didn’t know existed.

Financially, things went from tight to suffocating. As a student, I fell through the cracks of the unemployment system, ineligible despite my tax contributions. It was a slap in the face, a reminder of my precarious foothold in a city that I was learning might not want me as much as I wanted it.

Then came the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, thrusting systemic segregation and identity politics into the spotlight. It was everywhere—on the streets, across my screen, in heated discussions. It forced me to confront my own ingrained beliefs, to question the world and my place within it. This reckoning was uncomfortable, necessary, but so raw.

Back home, Lebanon’s economic collapse and the Beirut port explosion in August added layers of despair. That explosion happened on my ex-boyfriend’s birthday—my first love. The universe seemed to have a cruel sense of timing, intertwining personal loss with national tragedy. It felt like the universe was piling on, pushing me toward a brink I hadn’t known existed.

There, in that darkness, contemplating the abyss, I realized something vital: resilience wasn’t a choice; it was my only way forward. My response to this cascade of crises was to dive deep within. I adopted strict fasting, mediation, and took an accounting of everything I consumed, physically, emotionally, spiritually. I turned to painting, pouring my soul onto canvases that became my silent witnesses. Selling those pieces wasn’t just a financial necessity; it was a lifeline, a way to connect and affirm life amidst the tumult.

2020 forced me onto a path of radical self-discovery, an awakening to an identity that transcends borders, conditions, and societal expectations. It was a painful rebirth, a realization that identity isn’t a trap unless you let it be. My journey through that year was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a personal evolution through the darkest of times. Now, as an artist, my work is infused with this journey, aiming to touch those universal chords of resilience and transformation that resonate within us all.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Embarking on my artistic journey, I’ve come to perceive it as a series of profound metamorphoses, reminiscent of cycles of death and rebirth. This profound realization crystallized when I left Beirut, embarking on a daring quest to redefine myself as a set designer. This journey initially presented itself as a monumental leap into the unknown, but it was only the beginning of my transformation.

Studying at NYU was a pivotal chapter in my life, yet it was the global introspection triggered by the pandemic in 2020 that truly redefined my artistic purpose. Art evolved from a mere vocational pursuit into a spiritual sanctuary, a means to connect with the boundless essence within. This period instilled in me the importance of self-love and the power of stillness, guiding me to align my creativity with a deeper sense of duty and purpose.

Through exploration and self-reflection—delving into drama therapy, social justice, and the healing virtues of plant medicine—I discovered my unique voice. These endeavors were not just professional pursuits; they were deeply personal, facilitating a transformation that allowed me to view life through a new lens. I learned the importance of growth and change, prompting me to pivot once more.

This introspective journey led me to transition from designing sets for commercial projects to seeking a more meaningful outlet for my creativity. I aspired to merge art with activism and mindfulness, envisioning a reimagined entertainment industry that served as a space for healing rather than escapism.

Inspired by this vision, I am now in the process of creating an organization—a collective of artists, practitioners, social justice advocates, therapists, and diplomats, united by our shared vision and curiosity. This is my calling to my brothers and sisters: Our mission is to forge a more harmonious world, employing art as the binding thread. This envisioned collective aims to leverage artistic expression and human connection as catalysts for change, celebrating our bond with nature and the wisdom of indigenous cultures.

Today, my mission is characterized by a profound sense of depth, unburdened by the need for validation or fear of loss. In surrendering to this quest, I aim to channel the collective anxieties of our times into artistic endeavors that spark dialogue and foster connection. This transition not only signifies a pivot in my career but also in the way I view my place in the world. By highlighting our innate connection to the natural world and each other, art becomes our universal harmonizer.

This is more than a new chapter; it’s a redefinition of my artistic purpose, fueled by the pandemic’s challenges and the introspection they prompted. As I work towards establishing this organization and offering my embodiment practices, I am committed to facilitating a space where art serves as a catalyst for healing, unity, and transformation.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected] DESIGN WEBSITE
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maamoun_tobbo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maamoun.tobbo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ma-moon/
• Other: https://www.ma-moon.com/ INTERDISPLIIARY WEBSITE