Teurgie v esteticko-filozofickém systému Andreje Bělého a Vjačeslava Ivanova
Theurgy in the Aesthetic-Philosophical System of Andrei Bely and Vyacheslav Ivanov

Summary/Abstract: The article analyses the aesthetic and philosophical concepts of Russian symbolism of the beginning of the 20th century. The primary focus lies on the interpretation of the selected theoretical studies and essayistic works by A. Bely and V. Ivanov. We show the inner connections in the genesis of their aesthetic-philosophical system, which was gradually heading from the decadent-symbolic aesthetics towards the broader trans-cultural syntheses, or, using the words of the Russian philosopher V. Solovjov, towards the principal of theurgy. Literary and essayistic works of A. Bely and V. Ivanov are represented by the idea of theurgy. It is the idea that art possesses mystic and religious power, and that “all-human” art can be united with cognitive act. Art is seen as a complex way of thinking, understanding the world and the way of existence. The aim of theurgy was to find new ways of perception and expression and to reach the state of existence, in which the artistic images would not only evoke the impression of the beauty, but also become the means of cognition.

• Details
• Contents