Abstract: This article trace the origins of using permanent metal jewelry in traditional clothing of the Mordovian people, as well as characterizes the role of metal products in culture. From the perspective of the currently popular brocade, sparkling fabrics, it seems relevant to refer to the domestic tradition of costume embroidery with metal pendants, beads, pearls that shine in the sun, and to the analysis of peculiarities of of Erzya and Moksha embroidery of the XIX – early XX centuries, known for simple but very effective methods of decorating female costume. The novelty of this work is defined by the absence of special research dedicated to permanent metal décor of the Mordovian costume; the need to determine the ratio between natural and synthetic materials used in embroidery; their interrelation with the traditional norms and aesthetic preferences of the Mordovian people. The object of this research is the traditional Mordovian costume, while the subject is the specificity of including small metal items (pendants, beads, pearls) into embroidery of the elements of festive and ritual clothes of the XIX – early XX centuries. The goal consists in analysis of the tradition of using metal items in embroidery, as well as in cognition of the meanings of this material in folk culture. Analysis is conducted on the new archaeological and ethnographic sources, archival materials on the history of culture and art of the Mordovian region. The author highlights and characterizes various techniques of using sequins in the Moksha and Erzya embroidery of the XIX – early XX centuries, which testify to the complexity of ethnogenesis of the Mordovian people.

Keywords: embroidery, non-removable jewelry, lead, tin, gold, silver, copper, traditional costume, Mordovian culture, tradition

Abstract: The object of this research is a Russian dance ditty (folk song consisting of four-lined couplet). The subject of this research is the emergence and proliferation of dance ditty across the Russian regions, its nature and entwinement with the dance song, as well as active popularization in the late XIX – early XX centuries. Special attention is given to the existing scientific versions of the emergence of this genre. The author underlines the importance of in-depth study of dance ditty as a folk genre the choreographers and folklorists rely on in their work. The question is raised on the need for comprehensive examination of the Russian regional dance ditty, since it is encompasses a vast layer of types, subtypes, performing, musical and dance peculiarities of all Russian regions. The novelty of this work lies in the attempt to determine the factors of emergence and popularization of dance ditties. The analysis of folklore material (song collections, etc.) for the purpose of establishing correlation between dance ditties and dance songs, quadrilles, its particular types and forms suggests achieving the goal set in this article. The goal of this research is to reveal the reasons for the existence and popularity of dance ditties in different Russian regions. The author develops a new version of the emergence of ditty from dance songs during the quadrille performance. The acquired results reveal close interrelation between ditty and dance songs alongside the development of folk choreography and song repertoire, and draws the interest of experts to dance ditties.

Keywords: regional features, tune, dance figures, quadrille, song, dance, ditty, Russia, measure, saltation

Abstract: This article is dedicated to the analysis of distinctive features of the image of Russian Orthodoxy in the works of the contemporary Russian and English photographers. The authors review various aspects of photography as a research tool. They determine the focus of attention of the English and Russian photographers with regards to Orthodoxy, which aspect of religiosity prevail in their works, and which artistic means of photography are used by the photojournalists to express their position. In the course of research of the existing photo projects, the question is raised of whether they seek to capture negative or rather positive aspects of the Russian religiosity. Analysis is also conducted on the degree of the influence of stereotypes upon photo images. Research methodology employs comparative analysis of the documentary photo projects of the Russian and English photographers. The photographers were selected by regional, professional, and objective-subjective criteria. This article is first to refer to the documentary photo projects for analyzing the perception of Russian Orthodoxy by the Russians and foreigners, which defines the scientific novelty and uniqueness of this research. The conducted analysis reveals the similarities and differences in the approaches of the Russian and English photographers. The conclusion is made that the object of research of the English and Russian photographers differ in themes and aspects they pay attention to. The English photographers are interested in religion as a part of the everyday practices of a modern Russian, while the Russian photographers attempt to demonstrate a profound connection of people with the spiritual world. At the same time, both English and Russians photographers capture Orthodoxy in a positive context, at times even romanticizing the image of Orthodox temples and rituals.

Keywords: photography as a tool, photography analisys, photojournalism, English photographers, Russian photographers, documentary photography, photography, visual analysis, Orthodoxy in Russia, Orthodoxy

Abstract: This article is dedicated to rational interpretation of the novel “Cyclonopedia” by the Iranian philosopher and writer Reza Negarestani, which particularly draws attention of the young audience. The author believes that it is impossible to grasp such works without interpretation and reconstruction of their themes and contents. Implementing the claimed approach, the author discusses the crucial topic of openness in the novel and peculiarities of the poetics of “Cyclonopedia”. There are two different understandings of openness described by R. Negarestani: one that is attributed to common forms of sociality, proclaiming freedom and open relationships in one or another way; and “epidemic openness”, which overtakes a person, even against his will, and destroys him. The author analyzes the concept of openness, suggesting that on the one hand, the external can be interpreted as listening to the trends of the “futureculture”, while on the other ‒ as criticism and objectification of concepts that claim to know and predict the future, but in fact cannot go beyond the traditional representations of modernism. Explaining why Negarestani compares openness to food, the author offers to consider the Tibetan archaic ritual “Chod” (severance), going through which the monks offer themselves to be devoured by demons. Based on this, the author formulates an assumption that in the course of creating “Cyclonopedia”, Negarestani was affected by the ancient and mystical concepts, and may even have read Davin-Neel’s research on the Tibetan ritual. The author also suggests that certain other themes of “Cyclonopedia” also need to be reconstructed. The article analyzes the reality of the novel: in addition to discussing the theory-fiction genre, the author believes that the reality of “Cyclonopedia” is attributed to phenomenological, which represents the peculiarities the consciousness of R. Negarestani, rather than the external events.

Keywords: reality, reader, author, reconstruction, interpretation, текст, understanding, work, events, openness

Abstract: The subject of this research is Flemish painting the XVII century in the spiritual and cultural context of the Counter-Reformation, which created remarkable decorative and religious images to counter the iconoclastic trends of the Reformation movement. The object of this research is Flemish paintings of the Baroque Period of the XVII century with flower garlands edging the central image of Madonna. Special attention is given to the variety of iconographic patterns of the image of Virgin Mary framed in a flower garland, which was widely popular in painting of the Baroque period. Some artists use the pattern of “painting in a painting”; others imitate sculpture, the color of which accentuates the brightness of garlands. The article employs iconographic, iconological, and artistic methods, as well as stylistic analysis. The scientific novelty consists in proving the fact that Virgin Mary appears in painting not only as an individual image, but in paintings of flower garlands as well. The acquired results demonstrate that in the XVII centuries, the artists used different iconographic patterns for creating the image of Virgin Mary. The masters were able to combine different types of flowers, reaching the harmony of floral motifs and balancing them with the image of Madonna. The artists demonstrated the beauty of flower garlands by adding different living creatures in their paintings, such as birds and animals, to make them look more colorful, peaceful and vibrant. Thanks to these works, the image of Madonna remained extremely revered in the XVII century.

Keywords: Jan Bruegel the Elder, painting of the seventeenth century, religious painting, flower garlands, Flemish painting, image of the Mother of God, Daniel Seghers, Nicholas van Verendael, Flemish artists, baroque painting

Abstract:   This article reviews the polemic of the author with a number of well-known psychologists who consider L. S. Vygotsky a humanities scholar, and that the book “Psychology of Art” introduces psychologists to the humanities. The author clarifies his position, trying to show that in his methodological projects L. S. Vygotsky adheres to the natural scientific approach; however, in some works he actually does think as a humanist. The author also casts doubt on Vygotsky's concept of art, demonstrating that the offered mechanisms of aesthetic response and interpretation of literary works are problematic or unsatisfactory. In this regard, analysis is conducted on the position of V. Sobkin, which differs significantly from the views of L. S. Vygotsky. The author offers the original interpretation of art, which implies the three aspect: sociocultural that analyzes artistic communication; related to the philosophy of subjectivity (life from the perspective of an artist, viewer, or reader); and analysis of artistic reality, which includes consideration of the literary language and events. The author elucidates the corresponding concepts and problems that appear in such art task. For better understanding of the proposed ideas, the author reviews the examples from the “Psychology of Art” by L. S. Vygotsky, and cites a case from the own works. The discrepancy with L. S. Vygotsky he views as an motive to continue his research and the need for their critical reflection.  

Keywords: understanding, catharsis, personality, thinking, affect, reaction, psyche, art, activity, imagination