Najwa Karam: I Don’t Fear Change, I Fear Repetition

Lebanese singer Najwa Karam
Lebanese singer Najwa Karam
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Najwa Karam: I Don’t Fear Change, I Fear Repetition

Lebanese singer Najwa Karam
Lebanese singer Najwa Karam

Like her spirit, Helwe El Denye (The World is Beautiful), Lebanese singer Najwa Karam refuses to give up. In her long-anticipated upbeat new hit, she finally gives her fans what they had been waiting for. Her powerful voice and positive message are like therapy for those who are exhausted and despondent by the difficulties weighing down on them.

Its messages of encouragement and positivity- as she sings and calls on us to see that “the world is beautiful whatever is happening, always look at the cup half fun” and that “every moment we should thank the Lord, oh lord thank you for your blessings-” have clearly struck a chord. The song produced by Rotana has topped the streaming chart in Lebanon and the Arab world.

Known for setting trends, she is hoping to continue to make waves as she did in 2011 with Ma Fee Nom Baad El Yom (There’s No Sleeping After Today). When we asked her whether she worries before releasing the next big thing, especially given how bold her artistic decisions tend to be. Why doesn’t she prefer to take more conventional, safer options with guaranteed results?

Her response is quick and to the point. “I don’t fear renewal. On the contrary, I fear repetition. I started to renew between 2000 and 2001, and since Ashiqat Asmarani (I’m in Love with a Tan Man), Itahimuni Bigharamihi (They Accused me for Whom I Love), and Ma Takun Zaelat (Hope You’re Not Upset)... I decided to change shortly after my career began; it comforts me. I feel like I am keeping up with the times.”

As for thoughts on people’s tendency to link novelty with cheap art, they are equally concise and sharp.

“Change and renewal do not mean that a song is subpar. Rather, it means a song has broken with the familiarity people had been accustomed to from the artist. For me, I do not compromise on the lyrics, melody or the way of performance, all of which must be renewed according to the quality of the rhythm.”

Once we return to the subject of art and its purpose, Najwa tells us that she sees it as “A message, and the message is manifested as it really is in adversities, victories or events. The artist must harness their talent and voice to this end. Then, either we fill the universe with joy and glee, or we build on that setback to create hope and make a comeback that makes us proud.”

Are choices harder to make at this point in her career then, or do opportunities present themselves like flowers in a garden she can easily pick?

“Options are always available, making it difficult to wake to find the suitable sound for the new conditions of the moment while maintaining what I give. It is not easy at all to make and publicly release a song.”

Is that why you prefer absence?

“I pause when I have nothing to offer. When I’m away, I do not like to post on social media for the sake of it. Sometimes absence shines brighter than presence. When we are absent to achieve a goal, it’s just like being present to achieve a goal. I prefer to have a strong impact on people. Remaining relevant does not concern me, and I am not afraid of extinction.”

Before concluding, she wanted to say a couple of words. One to Lebanon, which she carries with her voice, and the second to Saudi Arabia, whose future leadership she admires. On her homeland, four words: “Lebanon is the phoenix.” “But we have to focus on its essence and meanings.” The kingdom? “It is a country confidently moving forward and developing. I congratulate the Saudi people from the bottom of my heart. They understand the art of innovatively adapting to the future. Its rulers are leading their people and their land to a better tomorrow.”



Humanoid Robot Says Not Aiming to 'Replace Human Artists'

A man faces the realistic artist" robot "Ai-Da" using artificial intelligence at a stand during the ITU AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP/File
A man faces the realistic artist" robot "Ai-Da" using artificial intelligence at a stand during the ITU AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP/File
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Humanoid Robot Says Not Aiming to 'Replace Human Artists'

A man faces the realistic artist" robot "Ai-Da" using artificial intelligence at a stand during the ITU AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP/File
A man faces the realistic artist" robot "Ai-Da" using artificial intelligence at a stand during the ITU AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP/File

When successful artist Ai-Da unveiled a new portrait of King Charles this week, the humanoid robot described what inspired the layered and complex piece, and insisted it had no plans to "replace" humans.

The ultra-realistic robot, one of the most advanced in the world, is designed to resemble a human woman with an expressive, life-like face, large hazel eyes and brown hair cut in a bob.

The arms though are unmistakably robotic, with exposed metal, and can be swapped out depending on the art form it is practicing.

Late last year, Ai-Da's portrait of English mathematician Alan Turing became the first artwork by a humanoid robot to be sold at auction, fetching over $1 million, said AFP.

But as Ai-Da unveiled its latest creation -- an oil painting entitled "Algorithm King", conceived using artificial intelligence -- the humanoid insisted the work's importance could not be measured in money.

"The value of my artwork is to serve as a catalyst for discussions that explore ethical dimensions to new technologies," the robot told AFP at Britain's diplomatic mission in Geneva, where the new portrait of King Charles will be housed.

The idea, Ai-Da insisted in a slow, deliberate cadence, was to "foster critical thinking and encourage responsible innovation for more equitable and sustainable futures".

'Unique and creative'

Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations' AI for Good summit, Ai-Da, who has done sketches, paintings and sculptures, detailed the methods and inspiration behind the work.

"When creating my art, I use a variety of AI algorithms," the robot said.

"I start with a basic idea or concept that I want to explore, and I think about the purpose of the art. What will it say?"

The humanoid pointed out that "King Charles has used his platform to raise awareness on environmental conservation and interfaith dialog. I have aimed this portrait to celebrate" that, it said, adding: "I hope King Charles will be appreciative of my efforts."

Aidan Meller, a specialist in modern and contemporary art, led the team that created Ai-Da in 2019 with artificial intelligence specialists at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham.

He told AFP that he had conceived the humanoid robot -- named after the world's first computer programmer Ada Lovelace -- as an ethical arts project, and not "to replace the painters".

Ai-Da agreed.

There is "no doubt that AI is changing our world, (including) the art world and forms of human creative expression", the robot acknowledged.

But "I do not believe AI or my artwork will replace human artists."

Instead, Ai-Da said, the aim was "to inspire viewers to think about how we use AI positively, while remaining conscious of its risks and limitations".

Asked if a painting made by a machine could really be considered art, the robot insisted: "My artwork is unique and creative."

"Whether humans decide it is art is an important and interesting point of conversation."