Abstract: This article is dedicated to description of the artistic concept of “culture”, one of the fundamental in the conceptual framework of V. S. Makanin. The content of the concept is viewed in the context of evolution of Makanin’s works. The author examines the nature of transformation of each layer of the artistic concept of “culture” in light of establishment of Makanin’s concept of a human; determines interrelation of the motifs in their role in formation of the concept. Separate attention is given to determination of the meaning of precedent facts, including literary images, plots, themes, and motifs in development of the structure and content of the concept of “culture” in V. S. Makanin's works of different periods. Composition of circumnuclear zone and close periphery of this concept contributes to the formation of a cultural background, and their reinterpretation by the author reflects the objective processes taking place in cultural discourse for the past 50 years. In proportion to evolution of Makanin’s works, these images are saturated with new meanings, leading to refocus in interpretation of their classical content, substantiated by the need to place axiological accents. The conclusion is made on the extreme complexity of structure and content of the artistic concept of “culture” in the works of V. S. Makanin, which change dynamically throughout his creative path. This article is first to describe the structure of this concept and trace the dynamics of its transformation in diachrony, using the materials of most significant works of V. S. Makanin.