You may have seen the inflatable, balloon-like structures of Utopic Arabia that are becoming increasingly popular on social media. You are invited to a journey where we explore the unique artistic visions of Eugenio Fernandez and Victor Nouman, the names behind these works, combined with their admiration for Middle Eastern culture, their creation processes and more.

How did the idea of Utopic Arabia come to life?

Utopic Arabia: We are both architects and we have been working between Dubai and Madrid for 6 years. We have also a digital Content creation company called Dune Studios. We have been always fascinated by the Arabic culture and we wanted to create something that brings to life our vision about it. We started one day in a café in Dubai creating some sketched of inflatable shapes in a traditional village in the middle of nowhere and we saw a lot of potential on this idea.

”Keep going no matter what people say. If you work hard and you have a vision you will achieve it sooner or later.”
– Utopic Arabia

What part of Middle Eastern culture do you resonate with the most?

Utopic Arabia: We connect a lot with the architecture, mostly because of our background. Also with the idea of celebration that is something we try to implement in our work. We like this idea of people dressed in monochromatic colors celebrating on the streets.

What does your making process look like?

Utopic Arabia: We start identifying iconic elements from the middle East culture and from there we reimagine something new. Sometimes we start with sketches or a beautiful photograph. For us each image works as an independent content. We try to create strong concepts.

What is one personal idea or belief that you try to reflect into your work?

Utopic Arabia: The main idea is the freedom to imagine other realities. Even though all the concepts are based on existing buildings or assets we like to think that other alternatives are possible.

You’ve been utilizing social media to share your work. How do you think social media has changed how your work is perceived by others?

Utopic Arabia: Sometimes we got surprised about the reaction of different people. Some people look at the pictures as art and they feel it inspired in different ways. There is also a lot of people with different backgrounds that write us to know where actually these places are, or where they can visit the pink pavilion. Its very funny to see how each person take it in a different way.

What is a crucial point to create a realistic 3D design?

Utopic Arabia: Generally, are the materials but in our work the landscape is very important also.

What is the architectural accumulation behind your work?

Utopic Arabia: As I mentioned we have an architectural background and we feel very passionate about discovering new things. What we like most in Dubai is the overlay of different cultures and architectures and this is something that we think is shown in our work. We use a lot the contrast between traditional architecture and retro-futuristic elements.

How do you use AI or other augmented reality technologies as a part of your design process?

Utopic Arabia: AI is a huge tool that is just in the first stages. For us is very useful during the creative process.

Your puffed-up designs of buildings and animals have become your signature in a way. So, why inflatable architecture?

Utopic Arabia: The first thing is that it’s ironic. We really like to play with this idea of transforming something that is supposed to be very serious into something joyful and playful. We also see that the inflatable white shapes in the middle of traditional streets or small villages are kind of phantoms that emphasize these iconic elements from the Middle East culture.

What do you do in order to stay ahead in the industry?

Utopic Arabia: We work a lot and also, we try to be aware of the new artist and exhibition worldwide. Also for our work is very important to see what is happening just around us, on the streets we work every day.

What is one great lesson you’ve learned along your creative journey?

Utopic Arabia: Keep going no matter what people say. If you work hard and you have a vision you will achieve it sooner or later.

What do you think is special about your work?

Utopic Arabia: It is the vision two artist or architects that looks into the Middle East culture as foreigners. Maybe this is the reason why for us is easier to identify these aspects that are part of the collective imaginary and take them to play with them.

How do you see Utopic Arabia in the future?

Utopic Arabia: We have gone from the real architecture to the digital world: Now we would love to do the way back and explore how these digital concepts can be transform into physical installation o architectural projects.

Design