The Art Of Waiting | Marya Mayan | TEDxRiyadh

Key Concepts:

• "عقبال" (Aqbal): A word meaning "hopefully next is..." or "wishing you the next milestone," often associated with societal expectations and a pre-defined life path.
• Personal Definition of Success: The idea that each individual should define success on their own terms, rather than adhering to societal norms.
• Art as a Viable Career: Challenging the notion that art cannot be a source of income and advocating for its recognition as a legitimate profession.
• Breaking Societal Norms: The importance of challenging pre-defined paths and creating one's own opportunities.
• "كرسي عقبال" (Aqbal Chair): A metaphor for the state of waiting for the next milestone instead of actively pursuing one's passions.
• NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens): A digital asset that represents real-world objects like art, music, in-game items, and videos. They are bought and sold online, frequently with cryptocurrency, and are generally encoded with the same underlying software as many cryptos.

1. The Trap of "عقبال" (Aqbal) and Societal Expectations

• The speaker begins by describing how the word "عقبال" has been a constant presence in her life, marking each stage of development: school, university, graduation, job, promotion, marriage, etc.
• She argues that this constant pursuit of the "next" milestone can lead to feeling trapped in a pre-defined path, one that may not align with personal desires or talents.
• The speaker introduces the concept of the "كرسي عقبال" (Aqbal Chair), symbolizing the passive state of waiting for the next milestone instead of actively pursuing one's passions.
• She emphasizes the importance of recognizing when one is on a path chosen by someone else and the need to break free from it.

2. Finding a Personal Definition of Success

• The speaker shares her personal experience of being accepted into an art program she disliked because she didn't see a future in it, echoing the common sentiment that "art doesn't pay the bills."
• She realized she was waiting for happiness and success instead of creating her own path.
• She stresses the importance of defining success on one's own terms, whether it's money, status, fame, or family.
• Her personal definition of success was to share her art with the world while also earning a living.

3. Balancing Passion and Practicality

• To achieve her definition of success, the speaker took a job she didn't enjoy to earn a salary while pursuing her art at night.
• She faced the challenge of how to share her art with the world, leading to a period of uncertainty and questioning.

4. A Turning Point: Getting Fired and Embracing Opportunity

• The speaker recounts being fired from her job, which she initially perceived as a setback.
• However, this event became a catalyst for change. While walking with her sister, she saw a "For Rent" sign, which sparked the idea of creating an art space.
• Despite lacking business experience, she and her sister decided to take a risk and establish the first creative space in Medina.

5. Building a Creative Space and Empowering Artists

• The speaker emphasizes that they started with a "blank canvas," highlighting the opportunity to create and experiment.
• She draws a parallel between life and a blank canvas, encouraging viewers to embrace experimentation, mistakes, and revisions to create something unique.
• The creative space became a platform for her to showcase her art and nurture a new generation of artists.

6. International Exposure and Artistic Growth

• The speaker's dedication to art led her to study sculpture in Italy, where she drew inspiration from masters like Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael.
• This experience led to the creation of "Muflih," a camel character that embodies breaking boundaries and challenging reality.

7. "Muflih" and the Exploration of Cultural Identity

• "Muflih" became a vehicle for exploring and celebrating Saudi heritage and culture in her art.
• The speaker highlights the evolution of "Muflih" from a bronze sculpture to a digital asset (NFT), expanding its reach and accessibility.

8. "Alia" and the Preservation of History Through Art

• The speaker discusses "Alia," a project inspired by ancient rock carvings in southern Saudi Arabia.
• She transforms these historical carvings into contemporary sculptures, bridging the past and present.
• The project is named "Shawahid" (Witnesses) to emphasize its role in preserving and celebrating history.

9. "Hash" and the Exploration of Human Vulnerability

• The speaker describes "Hash" as her most personal work, representing human fragility, doubt, and contradictions.
• She transforms loofahs (luffa sponges) into art, showcasing her creative process and unique perspective.

10. Creating a Saudi Art Market

• The speaker recognized a gap in the Saudi art market and began creating a professional auction house to connect artists with buyers and increase the value and appreciation of Saudi art.

11. Redefining "عقبال" (Aqbal) and Taking Control

• The speaker concludes by stating that she hasn't reached the traditional "عقبال" milestones but has achieved success by her own definition.
• She emphasizes the importance of not waiting for permission and encourages viewers to redefine "عقبال" on their own terms.
• She provides a new interpretation of "عقبال" as an acronym:
  • ع (Ain): Define your own shape of success.
  • ق (Qaf): Stand up and move, the universe is moving.
  • ب (Ba): Take initiative and dare, good things happen with risk and experience.
  • ا (Alif): Discover and learn something new every day.
  • ل (Lam): Don't wait for permission from anyone.
• She envisions a future where everyone's life is a vibrant art gallery filled with colors, joy, and opportunities, where individuals create their own paths.

12. Conclusion

• The speaker's journey highlights the importance of challenging societal expectations, defining success on one's own terms, and taking risks to pursue one's passions. She encourages viewers to break free from the "عقبال" trap and create their own unique paths.