A Contemporary Vision O f Saudi Traditional Craft

Abstract

The cultural heritage customs, crafts, clothing, cuisine, and art are some of the most important elements that reflect the civilization of nations. Traditional craft is considered a source of creativity because of its meanings directly related to people's customs and rituals. It can also be used to produce costumes that are original and contemporary. In addition, in many countries, unique cultural heritage is retained in their handicrafts. It is a method of preserving and nurturing cultural and artistic heritage, such as passing handcrafting techniques from one generation to the next (Mustafa, 2011). Adding cultural elements to the product design preserves the culture of a place, gives them cultural identity, and promotes this unique cultural identity in the international markets (Maina, 2015). Modern art is also considered to be a valuable source of creativity for fashion designers. More and more designers look to the art world for innovative inspiration. Cubism is one of the modern arts characterized by renewal and deviation from the ordinary, which affects the human view of the surroundings (Life and Security of Journal, 2014). This research will introduce new ways of using traditional crafts by taking advantage of the aesthetic values and techniques of both Cubism and traditional crafts to create contemporary fashion accessories (neckpieces & headpieces). The goal is to revive the heritage of Saudi culture on the fashion scene. It also aims to prevent extinction; the research will analyze the characteristics of the cubist movement and use them to create innovative designs. - It will investigate the integration of technology and craftsmanship using innovative ways - It will explore the use of conventional and unconventional materials. - It will contribute to support local artisans by collaborating with some and shed light on their valuable skills. The research will also review existing literature on traditional crafts, cubism, design, and process and present outcomes. The literature review intends to cover the following aspects. - Why is it important to sustain cultural heritage? - Integration of cultural heritage in the design process - How does cubism offer a new way of seeing? - How is cubism going to inform the design process - Historical background of Najdi doors, Al-Sadu craft - How motifs of Najdi doors, Al-Sadu craft are used through the design process? - Al-Khous Craft - Importance of reviving the old Al-Khous - The material used in this research - Significance of the material used