The Physics of Selfhood: A Deconstructive Chronotropic Reading of the Dialectic of Being and Nothingness through Selected Works of Artist Zahra Al-Ghamdi

Abstract

This research undertakes a philosophical and aesthetic analysis of the works of artist Zahra Al-Ghamdi, moving beyond conventional critiques that prioritize form and color. The study offers a deeper reading that connects her artworks to profound existential and philosophical inquiries. It is anchored in the concept of "the physics of the self," which posits the self not as a static entity but as a dynamic field of interacting forces—a notion that resonates with the existential philosophy of Sartre. The methodology adhered to a scientific approach, presenting the problem, hypotheses, objectives, significance, and definitions of terms. The theoretical framework was built upon ten key philosophical and aesthetic aches, including: the aesthetics of introversion, the phenomenology of aborted communication, the rhizome as a non-hierarchical structure, Hyle (primal matter), spacetime, and the dialectic of being and nothingness. This framework was then applied to a selection of the artist's works. The research culminated in several key findings, such as: The selected artworks are a potent visual embodiment of "the physics of the self," portraying the self as a nexus of interacting forces rather than a fixed subject. The artist employs deconstructive visual techniques to navigate the dialectic of being and nothingness. The artworks can be interpreted as "spacetime" that materializes the intertwined relationship between the sartworkmemory, transforming the work into a space of consciousness that transcends linear time. The study successfully established a critical-philosophical framework that bridges contemporary existential philosophy with abstract art. Among the recommendations put forth by the research are: The application of the philosophical and aesthetic axes introduced in this study to the works of other artists, with the aim of constructing a broader theoretical framework. The execution of in-depth studies using a phenomenological approach to explore the viewer's experience of the artwork. The application of the deconstructive philosophical approach developed in this research to other art forms, such as literature, poetry, and theater.