ArabAd got up, close and personal with Eli Rezkallah, the Creative Director & CEO of Beyond Production and the founder of Plastik magazine, for a peak into the world of this visual artist renowned for his distinct and extravagant view of our world.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The ability to create and live in my own world.
What would you say is your strongest skill?
Knowing how to 'sell' my art.
Who do you ultimately want to become?
The richest and most famous creative director to come from the Middle East.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Traveling for long periods of time.
What do you do to keep your ideas fresh?
Traveling.
What’s your motto in life?
Grow up but never stop playing.
What keeps you in the game?
I am the game.
What keeps you up at night?
My friends.
What inspires you most?
Women, music and emotions.
What music have you been listening to lately?
Shamir – On the regular.
What is the gadget you cannot live without?
My iPhone obviously.
What can we find on your phone?
I don’t have any wallpaper nor a screensaver, I like them white and clear. In my photo library, you find upcoming posts for Plastik magazine and my personal Instagram page and images that inspire me.
My favourite app is definitely Snapchat.
What quality do you most look up to in a friend?
I tend to be more tolerant to people that are fulfilled. A great sense of humour is a plus.
Who would you like to sit next to on a seven-hour flight?
No one, I’m less anxious when I travel by myself.
If you could live for one day the life of another person, who would it be?
Carine Roitfeld.
If you were to change profession, what would you choose to do?
Perfumer.
What business tip would you give the newbies?
Be bad until you’re good, be good until you’re great.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Chasing the sun from one island to another with the one you love.
Where can we find you on a Friday night?
My home.
If you could choose one superhero power, what would it be and why?
I’m such a voyeur so definitely invisibility.
What is the one word you catch yourself saying too often?
Whatever.
What would you like to be doing five years from now?
Exactly what I’m doing now but on a global level.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?
Portofino.
What’s the last book you read or movie you saw?
Inside Out, watched it for the second time, one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.
What is the one thing you wish you have designed?
The Human brain.
Who Are You?
I am... whatever you say I am.
I like... big butts and I cannot lie.
I want... to break free.
I have... everything I wished for 10 years ago.
I wish... to have in 10 years what I want now.
I hate... social climbers.
I fear... to lose my health, life is more fun when you feel great.
I Google... Nicki’s song lyrics.
I wonder... how life would be if Lebanon was an island.
I regret... nothing, just a little remorse sometimes.
I love... the person I am.
I need... a short break.
If I ruled the world... I’d make sure people with talent get more chances.
My Favourite…
Dream Destination: London.
Restaurant: Princi.
Hotel: The Soho hotel in London, not that posh yet the most comfortable rooms ever.
Meal: anything with seafood.
Movie: Home Alone.
Flower: Pink roses.
Animal: Dogs.
Photographers: Guy Bourdin, Helmut Newton
Music: Sade.
Painter: Roy Lichtenstein.
Heroes: My parents.
