Nikiforova A.S. Theoretical Bases of the Synthesis of Arts in European Culture of the Second Half of the XIXth - Early XXth Centuries

Abstract: The article considers the synthesis of arts as a phenomenon that has spread to different areas of culture and art in the second half of the XIXth — early XXth centuries. It was during that period when the other visual language and new forms of perception of art were formed. In her article Nikiforova analyzes the basic sources of the idea of Gesamtkunstwerk and various forms of its realization: mythologizing as a special way of thinking, ontologization of art, the desire to go beyond the purely artistic imagery, aesthetic dimension of humanism, synthetic thinking and universalism of the artist. Particular attention is given to the historical and cultural context throughout the XIXth century, beginning with the views of the Jena Romantics, Wagner’s theory of music and ending address to the creativity of Art Nouveau artists and innovators of the theater scene. The investigation also considers the problem of emergence of new forms of artistic creation. The analysis of the key trends reveals the importance of the idea of synthesis of arts for culture in a broad perspective: from philosophy, poetry and literature, architecture and fine art to design, new trends in the theatre research and cinematography.

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