“International Style” and Its Interpretation at the Beginning Of

DOI: 10.4467/25438700SM.18.048.9213 VIKTOR PROSKURYAKOV*, YULIYA BOHDANOVA**, RUSLAN YURIYCHUK*** use the terminology of the countries of which these lands Basic material statement were part of during the times of researched objects con - At the beginning of the 21st century interest struction. in studying art and architecture of the 20th In connection to this, recently in order to characterize archi- century has increased. Unfortunately, cultural “International style” and its tecture of the first third of the 20th century, on the territory of achievement of the period which has begun Ukraine the term “modernism” is widely used, which in its after World War II has not gained overall rec- meaning is close to understanding of “international style” ognition yet, it can be at least claimed about interpretation at the beginning of by Le Corbusier. Ukrainian wikipedia, as the most accessible the territories of Ukraine. Nevertheless, the source, provides the following explanation of these terms first third of the 20th century is currently in fo- “architecture of modernism generalizes a few tendencies in cus of numerous world researchers. Address- the XXI century itself, styles in architecture which appeared in the 20 th cen- ing what questions can most frequently be tury and tried to bring the features of dashing technological found in scientific published works dedicated advance into architecture. Modernism was one of prevail- to this historical period? Abstract ing styles of the 20th century architecture and still adheres The article is dedicated to similarities, differences, borrowings and authenticity of the “international style” in the researches to its position in the 21st century” [1]; international style is Origin of modernist ideas and of modern architects-scientists presented as “leading tendency of modernist architecture “international style” Keywords: “international style”, functionalism, modernism, art deco, architectural theories, architects, architectural schools thought during 1930-1970s, its aesthetics demanded the re- Society modernization is closely connected fusal of national cultural peculiarities and various kinds of with the development of enlightenment, social historical décor in favour of direct lines and other clear geo- and political revolutions. Industrial revolution, metric shapes, light and even surfaces made of glass and technological and engineering achievements metal. Reinforced concrete was a favourite material of inter- and possibility to use such new building ma- national style, wide open spaces were valued in interiors. It terials as steel, cast iron, concrete and glass was architecture of industrial society which did not hide its have also had great influence. Introduction. The problem raising actively attempted to be “adapted” to post- utilitarian purpose and ability to economize on “architecture As a different version “international style” and Nowadays it is much easier to study architecture of Gothic, Soviet countries. It leads to the situation that redundancy” [2]. Thus, the difference between “modernism” modernization processes are seen as the reac- Renaissance, baroque based on scientific published works of blind imitation of “everything western” brings and “international style” lies in the fact that the first one im- tion to the classics and decorating which were the authors who are representatives of various schools, cities to unjustified change of authentic terminol- personates only the idea of refusal of decors and gradual ar- associated with an old world. After the Austro- and countries, rather than have clear understanding of what ogy which was created by the Soviet Union chitecture rationalization in the frame of various stylistic dif- Hungarian Empire collapse a new conception what happening in the 20th century which eyewitnesses we for phenomena that took place on its territory ferences, the second one is already embodiment of this idea of creating Europe and the World appeared all were not so long ago. Well-established scheme of under- and did not have direct analogy beyond its and presents development of industrialization processes. If and it grounded itself on the basis of refusal of standing the genesis, development and style changes in 14th, borders. distinguishing the first third of the 20th century then among old principles of using historical styles. There- 16th, 17th centuries is passed from one book to another being Ukraine has its own peculiarity. Before 20 th general diversity of “modernism” variations “international fore, architecture theoreticians consider two added with various examples of buildings and structures that century its territory was divided between style” will only be noticeable in 1930s and most brightly – dates from which establishing modernism is illustrate this theory in various countries. Scientific surveys two empires: The Habsburg Empire (The before World War II. In the west of Ukraine the term “func- counted off. The first date is 1918 which is as- are directed at discovering new objects of famous masters Austrian Monarchy) and The Russian Em- tionalism” is mostly used for such architecture. In the east sociated with the end of World War I, its dep- rather than general understanding of processes. It all has be- pire. Since 1921 bigger part of Ukraine be- there was a bit different course of events and rational archi- recation and construction of a new world. That come possible due to the fact that a lot of time has passed came part of the Soviet Union and received tecture was in place in 1920s and was named “constructiv- time “...meant rising of unknown in this part of between the researched period and present times – whole a name Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic ism”. Later this evolutionary way of modernization was inter- Europe political reality and emergent from it ages and scientific thought have managed to be shaped and and western lands belonged to The Second rupted by appearance of “socialist realism”, when not only new possibilities of introducing high-level re- established. 20th century has ended recently, there is a vast Polish Republic (Poland), The Kingdom of abundantly decorated buildings were constructed which forms. Phenomenon of regional modernism amount of primary sources which described the events at the Romania and Czechoslovakia. The western aimed at becoming “palaces of Soviet authorities” and glori- of Central-Eastern European countries should moment when they were happening, very often architects, border of the Ukrainian SSR, according to fying their power but also buildings constructed before were be described comparing a lot of diverse sub- clients and eyewitnesses of created objects are still alive, The Treaty of Riga, was going along the line “changed into pompous garments”. However, it did not last stantial and mutually influencing changes in families keep archives and photos. Thus, at the beginning of of Zbruch river to the west of the city Yampil, for a long time. With the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 and political, social and cultural life, which this pe- the 21st century – 20th century is still ending its flow and its re- to the east of the city Ostrog and further arrival of Nikita Khrushchev to power “fight against redun- ripheral from the viewpoint of the history of sults do not have established and defined for all character yet. along the current border of Rivne and Zhy- dancies in architecture” was announced. It lead to the Soviet the present time, region was supposed to be During whole 20th century the history of architecture and art tomyr regions. Therefore, nowadays neither architecture comeback to global tendencies. transformed into the part of civilization “cen- was presented in a bit different interpretation on the territory scientists from the east nor those from the Thus, the following may be outlined as the main problems tre” [3]. Nowadays Central-Eastern European of The Soviet Union and beyond its borders. The world was west of Ukraine have common view on the appearing while researching architecture of the first third of countries are the ones which are most inter- relatively divided into socialist and capitalist camps. USSR theory of architecture of the 20th century and the 20th century: absence of established terminology and its esting and least studied in the sphere of ar- collapse in 1991 caused the situation that a big amount of its terminology. On the lands which had be- huge variety for a short historical period; difference in inter- chitecture and art history and theory. It was countries which appeared on its territory, including Ukraine, come part of the USSR earlier either Soviet pretation of processes and phenomena in various countries back then in 1918 that it was already possible actively started being in contact with western partners and vision of the problem is followed or Soviet which shaped the map of Europe; historical belonging to fun- to clearly see the materialization of modern- conducted experience exchange. In such a way European terms are attempted to be substituted by the damentally different state formations with different cultural ists’ ideas. The second date is not specific integration has also marked architecture science. Therefore, international ones. In the west of Ukraine, at values; substitution of established terms with more modern one – it is based on the fact that there are no terms which have appeared and illustrate certain phenom- least what concerns architecture of the first and trendy ones, what frequently contradicts with the es- exact examples of

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