Cumai Aboul Housn is a multifaceted digital artist and photographer whose career is as vibrant as the art he creates. His journey into the professional world began in 1988, amidst the historic backdrop of Damascus, where, alongside his civil engineering studies, he founded an art restoration workshop. This was no ordinary venture; it was here that Cumai mastered the time-honoured techniques of painting, as well as the meticulous preparation of materials and colours. His dedication and expertise led his team to breathe new life into the ancient heritage houses of Damascus, including the notable Al Sibaei and Al Sawan, as well as the prestigious National Medicine and Science Museum.
In 1991, Cumai's creative spirit ventured into the realm of motion pictures, sparked by a deep-seated passion for the art form. Collaborating with the General Cinema Institution in Damascus, he immersed himself in the world of animation and film directing. It was during this period that he began to explore the burgeoning potential of digital technology in cinema production, culminating in the creation of "Him, Her," a film that not only clinched the golden prize at the 1995 Damascus Film Festival but also marked a significant milestone in the use of computer graphics in film.
Cumai's fascination with the evolving landscape of motion picture technology led him to establish one of Syria's pioneering digital post-production studios. Here, he was at the forefront of digital production, CGI, and 3D animation, creating a myriad of CGI commercials and music video clips that captured the imaginations of audiences across the Arab world. Noteworthy among these was the video clip for Najwa Karam's "Khayarouni," which garnered a silver medal at the Cairo Arab Media Festival in 1996.
The year 2014 marked a new chapter in Cumai's artistic journey with the co-founding of Mozaiic Art Gallery, nestled in the heart of Dubai Mall. This venture was a testament to his enduring commitment to bringing original digital art prints to a wider audience. Over three fruitful years, Cumai's artistic output flourished, with hundreds of his art editions now gracing private collections from Japan to Brazil, a testament to Dubai's global allure.
In recent years, Cumai's focus has shifted towards the frontier of digital creation, delving into the possibilities offered by light field photography, augmented reality, and virtual reality painting and sculpting. His exploratory work in the realms of the metaverse and alternate realities is a bold foray into uncharted territories, promising to redefine the boundaries of artistic expression.
2021 saw the inception of the Biennale.io concept, a visionary project by Cumai that seeks to revolutionize the way art is showcased and traded within the metaverse. This concept, which is currently in an advanced stage of development, is poised to launch initially in the UK before making its mark globally. Cumai Aboul Housn stands at the forefront of a new paradigm in art, crafting a legacy that will undoubtedly influence how art is consumed for generations to come.
In 2023, Cumai Aboul Housn added a remarkable milestone to his diverse career with the publication of 'Tomorrow's Polis: AI Plato Dialogues in the Digital Age.' This book ushers readers into a contemporary symposium where leading minds discuss the transformative impact of the internet and blockchain technologies on society. Stemming from his experimental work on developing an AI model that resurrects Plato’s dialogues, Cumai bridges ancient philosophy with modern digital advancements. 'Tomorrow's Polis' is a thought-provoking exploration, inviting readers to consider the intersection of technology and ethical, societal values in today’s digital age. Through this work, Cumai continues to expand his influence beyond digital art and animation, contributing to the dialogue on humanity’s future in a tech-driven world.