Polyphony as an Approach to Producing Contemporary Artworks Inspired by the Hijrah Route and the Madini Rose

Abstract

This research aims to employ Polyphony as an intellectual and visual approach for producing contemporary artworks inspired by the Hijrah Route and the Madinah Rose. In this study, polyphony refers to the multiplicity of visual and semantic readings within a single artistic structure, where artworks present multiple interpretations of the same subject through variations in material, color, composition, and display methods. The significance of the research lies in presenting the Hijrah Route and the Madinah Rose as visual and cultural references that contribute to strengthening the presence of Saudi cultural identity within the context of contemporary art.

The research adopted the descriptive-experimental method through studying concepts related to polyphony, the Hijrah Route, and the Madinah Rose, followed by producing a group of contemporary artworks that addressed the relationship between the journey and the Madinah Rose through multiple visual approaches. A questionnaire was also used to measure viewers’ responses to the artworks and the extent to which the research objectives were achieved in relation to polyphony, material, color, composition, aesthetic and symbolic values, and cultural identity.

The research findings revealed that polyphony contributed to producing contemporary artworks with multiple visual interpretations. The results also demonstrated the role of material, color, and composition in constructing visual meanings related to journey, arrival, and spatial identity. In addition, the findings showed the presence of aesthetic and symbolic values within the artworks and their role in reinforcing Saudi cultural identity through employing the Hijrah Route and the Madinah Rose as visual and cultural references capable of generating contemporary artistic visions.