The Creative Spark: A Saudi Novelist on the Alchemy of Art

In a thought-provoking essay for Zeen magazine, Saudi novelist Abdallah al-Nasser delves into the heart of the creative process, exploring the delicate dance between the artist’s inner world and the external stimuli that shape their work.

Al-Nasser argues that even when an artist seems to draw solely from their own emotions and experiences, a subtle interplay with the world around them is always at work. He suggests that the artist essentially turns their thoughts and feelings into a subject of contemplation, examining them from their own perspective. This interaction, whether fueled by memory or drawn from the outside world, ultimately produces something new, a creation that resonates with the external reality it draws upon.
The Self and the Other
Al-Nasser emphasizes the crucial distinction between the artist’s self, their core identity, and the objective elements of their creative world. Memories and mental images, though subjective, retain a degree of objectivity, existing separate from the “I.” The self remains a fixed center, while the mental images from the external world remain independent, even as they are held within the artist’s mind.
He acknowledges that this “I” is not static but evolves through a process of absorption. The mind assimilates images of the external world, using them as fuel for its own growth. Some images are readily absorbed and become part of the artist’s core identity, while others remain undigested, existing in the realm of the objective, either lingering in memory or fading away.
The Artist’s Alchemy
The difference between a creative individual and someone who is not, according to Al-Nasser, lies in their ability to engage in this internal dialogue between self and subject. The creative mind, with its strong, unified core, thrives on this interaction. However, individuals vary in their strength and cohesiveness, and some may struggle to internalize and interact with external images. Others, with good memories, may lack the ability to engage their selves with these mental pictures, leaving them simply as stored information, unable to be truly integrated.
Al-Nasser stresses the vital role of internal dialogue. The more a mental image interacts with the artist’s self, the more multifaceted and profound the evaluation, and the more successful and beneficial the process of absorbing that image. This constant filtering and selection process allows the artist to assimilate the impressions that resonate and discard those that remain external to their core identity.
Technology’s Influence
While acknowledging the wonders of technology, Al-Nasser cautions against overdependence on its achievements. Computers, databases, and recording devices have freed humanity from the burden of memorizing and researching, but heencourages us to go beyond merely consuming the readily available fruits of scientific and technological advancements.
He advocates for active engagement with this knowledge, using it as fuel for our own creative contributions. By actively engaging with the knowledge we consume, we can cultivate a truly integrated and innovative culture, where the seeds of our creativity are nourished by both our internal worlds and the vast external world that surrounds us.