Tretyakova M. —
Regional Design in Terms of Culture of Consumption: Japanese Aesthetics of Kawaii VS. Western Glamour
// Culture and Art. – 2018. – ¹ 7.
– P. 60 - 70.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0625.2018.7.26281
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/camag/article_26281.html
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Abstract: In her research Tretyakova compares two similar yet different aesthetic categories that have got widespread use in the culture of consumption: Western brave Glamour and Japanese grotesque Kawaii. The aim of the research is to outline differences in these categories that are caused by their regional specifics. Such comparative analysis allows to define national specifics of Russian design in terms of the culture of consumption. Aesthetics of both Glamour and Kawaii have got an advertising component: glamour is a simulacrum of beauty that presents the charm of luxury, ideal appearance, and success, and contemporary Kawaii is a simulacrum of 'cuteness' that presents the charm of love and tenderness and imperfect or immature beauty. Both aesthetics have similar functions in contemporary culture of consumption as the basis of advertising myths about attractiveness. While glamourization is more typical for the West, Japan is more appealing to Kawaii. This is caused by cross-cultural differences. The research is based on the analysis of a famous essay In Praise of Shadows written by a Japanese writer Jun'ichiro Tanizaki (1886–1965) in 1934 where he called Western aesthetics as 'aesthetics of light' and Japanese aesthetics as 'aesthetics of shadow'. Using shine and brilliance as the most important expressive means, glamour presents the Western 'aesthetics of light'. Contemporary aesthetics of Kawaii relates to the traditional Japanese 'aesthetics of shadow' and, first of all, to the category of iki that unites a challenge and submission, luxury and mildness. In aesthetics of Kawaii sumbission presents child-like proportions, faintness and etc. which can verge on challenge.
Tretyakova M. —
From the Beauty of Iki to the Melancholic Beauty of Toska: Revealing Modifications of the Beauty in Russian Culture in Dialogue with the Japanese Traditional Aesthetics
// Culture and Art. – 2017. – ¹ 11.
– P. 46 - 55.
DOI: 10.7256/2454-0625.2017.11.22958
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/camag/article_22958.html
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Abstract: Although there are many researches concerning the Beauty, as known in Europe as well as Russia aesthetic categories are traditionally abstract and consequently not applicable in practical use for example in design. Therefore, the author of this research offers to find concrete categories of traditional aesthetics and then incarnate it in objects. As an example of this approach, he takes a work of Japanese philosopher Shuzo Kuki (1888–1941) “The Structure of Iki [Beauty]” and basing on it, he offers concrete incarnation of such Russian aesthetics category as Toska [Melancholy]. Using interpretation of Toska by Nikolay Berdyaev (1874–1948) the author formulates “Structure of Toska” and extends Toska to arts defining melancholic beauty of Toska in ornaments and colors. The author concludes that melancholic beauty of Toska in our culture is connected not only with the visible void but also with an ornament, which expresses our spiritual aspirations and therefore becomes an essential part of the Beauty in Russia.