Task: the deepening of graphic skills and habits, obtained in occupations 11-12, and also the acquisition of work experience on the portrait.

Alex Fantalov.

http://www.pictures.freesite.org/art5.htm

Paired composition: the "kind and evil hero of people fairy tales". Two works size A4, pencil, and watercolour.

Systematic recommendations:

Before the work the teacher carries out conversation about the Russian fairy tales, shows reproduction from the pictures by Vasnetsov, Bilibin, etc. of artists. It follows to describe to trainees about the basic characters, their attributes, with what phenomena of life they were connected in the idea of people.

In this exercise for the first time is posed the problem of depicting the background, which in the form and the content must correspond to hero. The rigid nature of lines will designate evil beginning, soft - good. For example, for the negative heroes ("Koshchey", dragon and to them similar) medium will be the background, filled with the sharp spires of towers, by dry rough branches, by stones, by cliffs, by sharp prickles, etc.

At first is done pencil sketch, then composition along two diagonals is transferred to the basic size.

Operation on the size:

Having approximately determined the basic objects of image, their position and sizes, we approach the refinement of parts. First, as it follows, the figure of the main hero (it must be large and present the centre of composition) is depicted. Then mm we fill it inside the outline with patterns so that each element would be the locked form. The nature of filling (rigid or soft) Sudet to depend on the nature of main hero. The same work we perform also with respect to background.

Passing to the picturesque stage of task, it should be noted that the colour range here must bear emotional- semantic load (cold/evil beginning, warm/good).

Work is conducted by the method of watercolour filling. With colour are first covered distant plans, then neighbour. The figure of main character fills lastly and it is separated with the aid of the tone contrast (it is done darker or lighter background). Not one section of sheet overlaps with the second layer of water colour and washes off as long as the white unrecorded pieces remain. This sequence remains also subsequently.

Alex Fantalov.

http://www.pictures.freesite.org/art5.htm

Certainly, the founder of genre D. Tolkien is rather serious and dear author, and, irrespective of Anglo-Saxon "Atlantic" ideology has left a scale epopee that has generated the whole subculture. For example a good field for shootings films with application of computer technologies. From this point of view, by the way, "Silmarillion" is more perspective for a screen version, than “the Lord of the Rings” even (even because is more fantastic).

But here one more of this genre classic is Ursula K. Le Guin. Her books have interesting semantic crossings with Carlos Castaneda's ideas.

Castaneda asserts, that man trap four main enemies: fear, clearness of idea, power and an old age. I shall describe these dangers the words, not going deep in citing.

When the person ceases go together with the general herd – on it the Fear leans. It is hard to remain alone with him. But if looking wins the fear – before it new horizons open, and development starts to proceed much more effectively for the senseless environment usually holds down us (though it is compensated by some everyday advantage).

The person comes to understanding of set of the vital phenomena and processes. But this understanding can distract it from activity. He/she is the second enemy – Clearness of idea.

If person has overcome the second enemy – he gets Power. However, power is a temptation which can force to curtail the person from the Way.

If person has overcome also this danger, he becomes truly clarified person. And the Old age win such person can only – for immortality in our world to reach it is impossible. But the person should keep advantage till last o'clock.

And here at Ursula Le Guin there is a tetralogy including novels: "A Wizard of Earthsea", “The Tombs of Atuan”, “The Farthest Shore”, "Tehanu". Each of them would be as if a literary illustration to each of the above described stages of development.

"A Wizard of Earthsea" tells about how a certain rural boy, getting in school of wizards, becomes the magician. His initiation is connected to opposition to the certain black shapeless essence which the boy has imprudently caused from Nonexistence. In the ending the young wizard understands, that – his own shadow party and comprehension of it allows the young man to win a black essence – (actually – himself).

Action of “The Tombs of Atuan” occurs in other country where a certain girl from a birth has been intended to become priestess of Dark forces in an underground labyrinth. Our wizard – Hed will penetrate into a labyrinth where it rescues a sacred relic and at the same time and deduces the unfortunate hostage of severe customs in the world.

The next novella – “The Farthest Shore” tells about fear of death, and how the malicious magician, using it, carries away the world on a false way, wishing to become false king of the world. Hed (already Supreme wizard of Earthsea) resists to it in this duel at edge of the ground, asserting on a throne of true King.

Between each of books the time interval lays. Last from novels - "Tehanu" narrates to us about that girl – former Supreme priestess of Dark forces who has lived a normal female life (has married the farmer, has given birth to children, and has become a widow). Now she brings up the unfortunate girl crippled by people and treats come back “from last coast” Ged, lost in ruthless struggle all magic force.

This woman rescues two sufferers from human rage. Actually, she and the former wizard are compelled to begin to live anew, that is uneasy, but, eventually, it is possible.

Alex Fantalov.

http://snow.prohosting.com/myths1/

         Wagner’s cycle is created on the basis of the German-Scandinavian mythology and the epos. The libretto was written by the great composer, rather originally having constructed action, but having kept spirit of North legends.

         Thus Wagner used the basic lines from the Scandinavian "Edda" sated with myths about gods, and names, and that, as to a heroic part has taken from the German tradition. Therefore the Supreme god Odin refers to here Wotan, the god of a thunder of Thor – Donner, hero Sigurd – Siegfried, etc.

And here this opera, in view of coming globalization, sounds unexpectedly actually.

We see here the female elements of Fate embodied by the goddess of the ground Erd and her daughters - the Norns. Above the earth great spirit Wotan establishes the man's domination. It does it by means of giants (spontaneous titanic forces) built illusive palace Valhalla.

Wotan and Donner, Fro, Fricka, Freia personify Superelite. Eternal - the world will not be destroyed yet.

         But their board keeping on force and oaths, fastening contracts, is undermined from each wrong act. And here, in underground foggy Nibelhejm the authority hostile to man's gods “a night army of Nibelungs” (gnomes) and their master – Alberich, renounced from love for the sake of the gold which has held down a ring of power (Tolkien has written the Gorlum under impression Wagner’s operas) arises.

Alberich is the international financial capital there, powerful already during Wagner’s time and so actively trying last years to impose to the world the model of globalization.

There is also one more player – the Broad gully, the god of fire. It is artful and changeable. Once the Broad gully other Nibelungs, but has come over to of the party of gods. It deceives all – Nibelungs (taking away at them authority), gods (involving them in the lie), giants (having transferred them damned Alberich a ring). In the Broad gully look through features of the bohemian intellectual and the latent revolutionary serving the financial capital and Elite, but despising and deceiving those and others (and, in turn, them despised).

All world of "Das Rheingold" is based on a lie and doomed for destruction. And only future hero Siegfried) is capable to expiate evil by a life. But it is a plot of the subsequent operas “Der Ring des Nibelungen”.

 Now it is a little about statement. Any unexpectedness for me was not – the opera goes in Mariinsky theatre some years, and I listened one year ago here to " Destruction of gods ». Musical execution corresponds to the highest modern standards (as maestro Gergiev conducted), singing also (especially would note party Alberich – ). And as for scenery …

A certain Joseph Jusupov worked at scenery. As far as I can judge, he possessed also registration of statement to "Götterdämmerung" (Twilight of the Gods), seen by me earlier.

In the first picture, (coast of ancient Rhein) the role of rocks is executed with any vertically put humanoid cobble-stones among which action proceeds.

In the second picture (the opera has gone without intervals) on a stage four legs (like tower cranes), divided on segments inside of which the same cobble-stones are placed fall. Plus – some the huge horizontal figures suspended to a ceiling. All this symbolizes constructed by giants Valhall Wotan.

Giants are showed as two huge black block from which heads and shoulders of singers are put out. Inside of them the workers moving block on a stage (what process looks comically enough) disappear.

Probably, the idea was to show ancient giants as the certain blocks which have arisen at the beginning of the world (similarly to the Greek Cyclopes in whom saw artistic realization of volcanoes).

But as a whole, despite of good work of the artist on light (Gleb Filshtinsky), scenery make depressing impression. What to do, it is necessary to reckon with aesthetic taste modern Alberichs.

The costume designer is Tatyana working in Mariinsky with operas of Wagner traditionally. She not the costumier by a trade also has got in Mariinsky casually enough (someone from art dealers would say for her a word at suitable minute – usual Soviet and Russian practice). However Noginova’s work looks much more successfully scenery. Such clothes could rush and five thousand years up to us, and five millennium later.

Wotan, Donner, Fro (the god of light) and Loge like elves. Daughters of Rhein remind, more likely pagan priestesses (in their suits obviously influence of set dressers of the Siver age). Beauty Freia (Fricka’s sister, goddesses of a youth, a subject of man's desire) a long golden dress with "tail" (according to a fashion of the end of the nineteenth century).

Are ominous black small Nibelungs (children's chorus of Mariinsky theatre) with naked big skulls. Alberich likes them but he big and flavovirent (conducts a water way of life).

Alberich’s transformations (in a dragon and a toad) are solved not so successfully, from the point of view of modern opportunities. The dragon is represented by the actress mimans, with holding umbrellas and running on a stage a chain.

Goddess Erd acts with the closed person and the longest horns who support her daughters (also the actress mimans).

In ending and the wife it Frika set up to itself on heads enormous white crown, as the Egyptian gods (at Wotan – Anubis - a jackal, at Frika – Bast – a cat). These are eclectic.

Alex Fantalov.

So, creations by Paulo Coelho are transferred to 56 languages, "Alchemist" appeared in first hundred rating BBC Big Read 100, (after publication of the given information rates of sales of this book have increased more than twice).

 Magazine "Lyre" (March, 1999) has declared its second of the most sold authors of 1998 all over the world.

In 2002 Portuguese “The Magazine de Letras”, informed, that the quantity of the sold copies of "Alchemist" exceeds quantity of the sold copies of any other book ever written on Portuguese.

Naturally, Paulo Coelho has not been bypassed by attention of the mightiest of this world. In particular became the participant of an extraordinary session of the International Economic Forum.

Bill Clinton, (‘the warrior of light’), has said laudatory speech in honor of the great Brazilian at ceremony delivery to that awards Planetary Arts - Planetary arts (!) of the Budapest club in Frankfurt in October, 2002.

What is the reason of this success?

As one "guru" from area of marketing or something was expressed like: “to excel in a life – you should to find corresponding human need and to start to satisfy it”. In particular, many financially secure people (especially childless) presently test existential famine. They are anxious by meaning of the life and ‘personal progress’. Earlier from fear before illogicalness of the world rescueed church. Now numerous art workers New Age try to play this role. And Coelho, this successful simulator of spirituality satisfies this need.

Thus office, bank workers try to connect "personal growth" to increase of a material level. In the Gospel there is the history about some young man. He has approached to Jesus Christ and asked to make him Christ’s pupils. "Left all that you have, and go with us" - was Christ’s answer. The young man has grieved (he was rich) and has departed in confusion. When Jesus has said his historical phrase about reach men.

I think, this well-known phrase of the Christ should be understood in the sense that riches not in itself angrily, but it adheres to the world, building a wall between the person and the god.

Our time is typical an abundance of pseudo-spiritual teachers, which promise to make the adherents successful (in vulgar sense) and "spiritual". Ancient prophets and sacred were severe, they specified to the person its sinfulness. False teachers (a wide structure – including psychoanalysts, modern couchers and so forth) promise the clients to learn "both the capital to get, and innocence to observe" (that very pleasantly to the inhabitant who does not like to accept all consequences of the decisions). "And the god – if he is – will forgive, he is kind". The god, certainly, will forgive. But people indulging their vice, even fine will got Limb – and it too is not sugar (see Dante) waits.

Koelo belongs to false teachers.

By the way, books Paulo are designed, first of all, on carriers of female consciousness. Women organically are well disposed to psychologism. To tell the truth, intellectual women never recognizes as psychologism simplified Coelho’s text. Short of for those boring multipage descriptions vaginal and clitoral orgasm, borrowed from the grant of sex ("11 minutes", and "Veronica decides to die"). But for "the successful woman" - we shall tell, serial actress or the forty-year mistress of drugstore, etc., creations of "the great Brazilian" is the standard of spirituality.

But there is and still very serious reason for promotion of this writer.

Success of Paulo Coelho began in the seventieth years. Then in the world significant process – split of the left intelligence has gone. The left intellectuals have been adjusted anti-bourgeois always. Thus it intellectual (and, partly, moral) the authority was those, what even the high-ranking petty bourgeoisies have been compelled with it to be considered. Besides, the left intellectuals in the West were represented keepers of the Future ideas.

During that epoch Paulo has entered "the Alternative society" – the organization which members denied values of capitalism, declared the right of the individual on free self-expression, and at the same time practiced black magic.

But, already during youth revolution of the sixtieth, there was fatal "substitution". The aspiration to personal, creative freedom began to supersede desire of sexual freedom, and ideas of social reforms – delirium of "psychoanalyze". That is – all the same black magic.

Such metamorphosis very much was suited taste authority propertying and they have started to advance convenient intellectuals in every possible way. The same who has kept fidelity to ideals of a youth, appeared in difficult position. So the alliance of the financial capital and the engaged bohemia (including alongside with representatives of traditionally creative trades and fashion designers, advertisers, polit-tehnologists) which imposes to mankind globalization in its present kind was generated.

So, the tame nonconformism of "the great Brazilian" appeared is rather worthy promotions in the market.

http://images1.50megs.com/

Alex Fantalov.

So, in brief –Gumilev’s theory has some aspects: passionarity; concept of ethnos; its periods of development; system and anti-system. For our theme is important the following.

According to the historian (and in it Gumilev likes Spengler and Danilevsky) people is the organic phenomenon which passes the certain periods of a life – "stage": rise, development, climax, inertial (after Gumilev - "obscuration"), convolution and memorial. And these phases (as well as occurrence of ethnos) are directly connected to a condition of passionarity (a level of power) its members.

In a stage of rise passionarity grows, in a phase of development she reaches the maximum heat (acmatic phase). Occurs "overheating systems" - struggle of ambitions, and the ethnos enters a condition of a climax (sharp decrease in power).

In an inertial stage (if will have the luck enter it, passing depopulation) passionarity declines not quickly and the ethnos lives the saved up riches and traditions. This period is especially favorable for "collecting of fruits terrestrial" - a mellow autumn of a civilization. A vivid example here is the Western world 18 – 20 centuries.

At last, convolution stage is new sharp downturn passionarity, painful falling of ethnos.

It is necessary to add, that (according to Gumilev) there are three categories of people: passionarity, harmonious individuals, sub-passionarity people. Passionarity people have got the superfluous power. And it has no attitude to morals, ideology, even to talent, there are only gradation of passionarity-power. In any case, passionary makes the acts leaving for a side of a biological instinct of self-preservation. Passionary can be the soldier, the politician, scientific, the artist, the writer, the predictor, the terrorist, simply the loser.

As for the harmonious person their passionarity and a biological instinct counterbalance each other. Such individual (if there is a corresponding talent and school) in good conditions to become even the excellent artist, the composer, etc. Under one condition - if for it pay. If is not present – it will engage what or an another matter, let in less creative, but more profitable.

Sub-passionary people are not capable for useful things. Biological pulses – primary reactions (lust, rage, laziness) much more surpass power. Typical Sub-passionary people are tramps, mercenaries, prostitutes. Though, certainly, they can show the talents and in other spheres. A modern epoch accumulation of such types at the highest levels, by the way, characterizes societies, both in Russia, and in the West. Probably, grows ripe transition to a new phase of development.

Gumilev results weight of examples of history of ethnos and super-ethnos (civilization). Here is how it looks concerning the Western world.

In 9 century of our era passionarity push has mentioned territory of France and Germany ("feudal revolution"). After centuries of decline and barbarous kingdoms new, knightly Europe was born. During an epoch of passionarity rise she has defended herself from attacks of Vikings, Arabs and Hungarians, has become covered by Romance locks and Gothic cathedrals, were splashed out from an overabundance of forces by crusades.

At acmatic phase we see struggle Guelfes and Gibellins in Sacred Roman empire of the German nation, Centenary war of England and France, struggle of kings against feudal lords.

In a phase of a break there are Reformation, religious wars, Thirty-year war of 17 centuries, to  revelry gangsterism.

In inertial stage ethno-cultural split of Europe is liquidated, successful colonial conquests are conducted. There is an unprecedented rise of a science and well-being of the Western world. This phase lasts up to now. Though, it is possible, the phenomenon that has arisen at the end of 1960 and is called by a mysterious word "postmodern" there is simply European form of the introduction in obscuration. With all of it predatorness and parasitism.

http://pictures.hypermart.net/theory.htm

Alex Fantalov.

The Indo-European society is characterized with varna system reflected in Vedas. Originally there were three varny - Brahmans, ksatriyas, and vaisyas. The Brahmans are priests personified religious-spiritual authority. The Ksatriyas are military estate carried out a state-political management. The Vaisyas are dealers and farmers were engaged in directly economic-industrial activity.

Certainly, it is the theoretical concept. From later epoch we know, that Brahmans and even vaisyas became tsars and, usurping thus ksatriyas function. But nevertheless, this concept was actively carried out during a public life.

When The Indo-Aryans came in valleys of Indus and Ganges, they have opposed with themselves to local population. Aboriginals began to name sudras – "servants". So there was as though the fourth "varna". However, as its representatives were not members of the people-conqueror, they were opposed representatives of first three present varna (taking place special initation and, therefore, called "twice given birth").

Sudras position was various, among them there could be and richmen, and even leaders dependent depended communities.

There were new changes at Middle Ages. Old opposition of three varna and sudras in many respects has lost a urgency. Vaisyas and sudras were divided into set of the closed professional groups – castes. Thus many castes vaisyas have gone down in a social rank and began to differ a little from castes shudra. That is feature passed in the big degree on a social level: on the one hand – brahmans and ksatriyas, with another – vaisyas and sudras.

It is interesting to try to find representatives varna in a modern society. As for Russia, Sergey Ehrlich in his article says about a triad: "intelligence – authority – people".

According to Ehrlich the first Slav triad were volhves, soldiers, smerdy. Then – priests, aristocrats, peasants. And, at last – intellectuals, the nomenclature, people.

         All is correct, but the society not always corresponds to the ideal scheme, and frequently – reproduces the scheme with distortion. Collective farmers are vaisyas, farmers, though, certainly, vaisyas humiliated. Both what are Soviet and Russian officials ksatriyas? They, genetically occur from Stalin - Brezhnev part nomenclature and have peasant-bourgeois roots.

We can say it about generals and the maximum officers also. As though did not abuse Americans, but their generals are similar to "a military bon", than Russian much more. What  original ksatriyas make to work the soldier for their summer residences?

About mass plunder of military property after disorder of the USSR and to speak it would not be desirable. How many such left offices under a wing last Soviet marshals have been created!

Now the situation is hardly better. The army was reduced in some times (about technical arms in general we shall hold back), but by quantity of generals we surpass the USA and the NATO.

Basically, the idea of general military service is quite competent. Young men in many societies had training obligatory military-physical preparation. But what is it the modern Russian army?!

Disintegration, has by the way mentioned in Russia and other layers of a society. For example -  intelligence. Essence that the intellectuals, who pleased to wreck of Soviet Union, now are not needed for Russian authority. And she, this authority also does not require such quantity of professors and so forth as all serious programs of development of a society are closed. The Russian rulers like other people, required for manufacture simulacr.

I shall quote curious ideas of the editor of magazine « New world » Andrey Vasilevsky that on change of intelligency there is « a fourth generation » — "stars" of mass-media:

 Some person say that  singers, fashion designers, film actors, even hairdressers, etc  are modern brahmans. Humour of this situation that actors, hairdressers, etc. in India (and any traditional society) belong to a category of sudras. There are, really, times of Kali Yuga, predicted in sacred texts: "Sudras will talk the Law, and brahmans will listen them!"

Alex Fantalov.

http://pantheon.bravepages.com/

         Ernest Junger is the person, living hundred three years – all twentieth century. The son of the German professor who was fond entomologist and studying of sea depths, he, secretly from father has acted in the French Foreign legion. After the beginning of the First world, Junger as the volunteer has gone on the western front and became the hero battling against Englishmen and the Frenchmen (experience of war has been embodied in the book "IN STAHLGEWITTERN").

         After capitulation of Germany, Junger it was pulled together to many right groupings, has developed active literary activity. It "the Decline of West" inspired Spengler. Probably, the writer liked Spangler’s words that the financial capital will win the industry, but will be in turn defeated "power of cesars". Really, Ernest Junger's brilliant and cold style corresponds to imperial, civilization phase of culture.

         Junger was the author of the concept of "total mobilization", the herald of "the Era of titans", given birth by will from chasms of social alienation. However, soon she it was disappointed in the German realities, ujdja in internal emigration. In the novel "On marble rocks" it has criticized Hitler's mode.

         Being it is called up for military service with the beginning of the Second world war, Junger it was limited to a role of the observer. It was close to circles of the officers and, after unsuccessful attempt at Hitler, is sent in resignation (his son has fallen a victim to the fascist tribunal).

         After war Junger was engaged in literary activity much, wrote fantastic novels (for example – "Glass bees"), devoted to problems of the Future. To one of such books became "Heliopolis".

         Action of the novel occurs in Heliopolis – the certain fantastic terrestrial city combining high technologies and pseudo-feudalistic orders.

Here it is necessary to make small deviation. Continental civilizations of 20 centuries – Soviet Union and Germany developed turbines, rockets and so forth. It is explains aspiration of people of an epoch of the Big Modernist style in space distances.

Compare it with present techniques – fragile, vulnerable computers and mobile phones.

The won postmodernist civilization prefers optimization available. We can see blossoming of information technologies (including the Internet). Recently, by the way, scientists from the London university college have acted with the project "the liquid information" where each word in the text will simultaneously be a hyperlink. And the reference will specify some addresses at once.

         The project excites imagination. You imagine to yourself this liquid, shivering text. Knowingly an Anglo-Saxon civilization name "sea" or "Atlantic", with domination of every possible "exchanges".

         Repeatedly wrote, that information and rocket technologies require in each other, but badly develop together. Cosmic space – or the Internet. Or aspiration on a vertical – for limits of a terrestrial environment. Or – desire to spread on Earth surface. The most interesting, that both these mutually exclusive tendencies are generated in bowels of a uniform Western civilization.

Coming back to Junger, it is necessary to note, that its novel contains attempt to reconcile space and computer science. On the one hand, phonofor – hybrid mobile telephone with Internet. Notice, by the way, that it is written in 1949!

On the other hand - heavy arms, the rockets flying in depths of space.

The disposition of the novel is interesting. Time of action – some decades later world war. In Heliopolis (capital of the world?) authority were challenged by the Proconsul (the chapter of army leaning on aristocracy and church) and Landfogt (the populist supervising retaliatory bodies, press and appealing to an instinct of crowd) each other. In what that sense this opposition revives opposition of a fascist party and Prussian generals in the third Reich.

Junger writes nothing about the ending of struggle, but victory Landfogt is represented obvious (as well as in a case with Germany). As the Proconsul does not undertake resolute actions, time works on its opponents, and army, being cannot feel the opposition to the population – decays. As the army in 180 AD in China (after revolt of Yellow bandages), in February 1917 in Russia was spread out, during Islamic revolution in Iran.

But this collision not strongly disturbs Junger. For, except for Landfogt and Proconsul there is the supreme force – authority of the Regent in the world. Regent has once won in wars, but left from a direct control. Regent has reserved the control over heavy arms and is borrowed with an outer space exploration. However it sharp-sightedly observes of events in Heliopolis, expecting when the fruit will ripen and will fall to its legs.

This situation copies the typical mythological scheme. The Supreme god, the charter from creation "leaves on rest" having transferred reins of government to the children-twins – black and white. Especially precisely such scheme is shown in zervanizme, gemmated from religion Zaratustra. There Infinite time – Zervan has generated twins – good Ahura Mazda and malicious Angra Mainyu. Zervanizm has influenced to some heresies and mythologies of Eurasia.

This parallel with Ancient Persian tradition is natural, as Ernest Junger addresses to "the Iranian trace". There is Pars community (The Parses are the last Zoroastrianism in a reality) In Heliopolis. This community is pursued by Landfogt, who using it as the tool of a forcing of a mass psychosis. The alliance of the hero of "Heliopolis", with Pars women Budur Peri (it is difficult to name love of their relation) should symbolize return of the author to principles of humanism.

http://www.pictures.freesite.org/

Alex Fantalov.

At theatre Wagner's operas (and it is extreme in the summer) were put exclusively. For these seasons gathered from all Germany and Europe. It self Bayreuth appeared it is inextricably related with creativity of the great composer. Streets of city carry names of heroes of operas:  Nibelungs, Siegfried, Tristan, etc.

About influence of creativity of Wagner on Russian culture we shall talk another time. It is necessary to tell only, that tragic events of 20 centuries have changed current of world history.

Long post-war years the tradition Wagner’s festivals glimmered in Bayreuth, stored by descendants of the German composer. Gradually, the gloom of the past dissipated, and International Wagner’s union has developed the wide program of encouragement of young talented musicians, singers, artists, critics. They received an opportunity of visiting Bayreuth festivals. The program has captured also Moscow, Petersburg, Kiev... I have visited Bayreuth also.

That time, on a stage of theatre have gone “Tristan und Isolde”, “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg”, “Lohengrin”. I not the expert in the field of musical culture therefore have addressed to incomparable to more competent people. Their opinion is those: the orchestra is very good, dramatic art too, and here voices of singers “are swinging”.

I has interested in scenery to performances also. In this respect, "Tristan" and "Lohengrin" have made depressing impression. In the first case the transparent curtain before a stage on which light patches of light and a stain of abstract kind (lines, pieces, elementary geometrical figures) were projected has been used. Scenery of a stage was so conditional also. But here was though any logic (the artist-director was the representative modern ‘the left art’).

"Lohengrin" it has been solved within the framework of a graphic aesthetics of a postmodern (that is absence those). In suits there was a mixture of styles. The German Middle Ages, the military form of Kaiser Army... Ortruna in a ladies' suit of the end of 19 centuries and malicious knight Telramund in an overcoat of a sample of the Second World War - all has mixed up. The significant part of actions occurs on a table reminding tennis (and around of it). Above There is the huge orange sun which children like to draw in a corner of a picture. Telramund has shaved after exposures. In general as one my German friend has told: "It any more avant-gardism, and nihilism".

However, scenery “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” has made favorable impression. Probably, it is connected by that producer of this statement was Wolfgang Wagner keeper Bayreuth. She has been sustained in rather realistic key, in gentle, pastel tones rich on colour.

Now about statements in Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg (Russia). Gergiev sensitively responds to tectonic shifts in world culture. Richard Wagner's "Parsifal" operas, "Lohengrin", “Der fliegende Holländer" (Flying Dutchman)” and others have appeared and have taken the important place in repertoire of theatre.

The first if I am not mistaken has been put "Parsifal". I did not manage to look it, but all of us saw photos of scenery. The artist-director Palmer (USA) who, besides, has enclosed the fair sum in performance was. It has decided to carry out statement ‘in Russian style’. Scenery, basically, represented the increased images of icons. Malicious magician Klingzor Palmer wished to see like Ivan Groznyy (nevertheless, the artist answering for suits, it was possible to bring in Gothic spirit to statement of this Gothic opera of Wagner written on a plot of Gothic novel.

Somebody to me that one of modern European statements "Parsifal" in attempt of temptation of the hero solved a stage of attempt as follows: the pure knight enters the magic garden of pleasures consisting of monitors, one of which close up shows lips of the woman, other its breast, etc... It would Seem, an antipode of statement of Palmer, and, as a matter of fact, the same.

And here I on Friday have looked “Götterdämmerung” (Twilight of the Gods) in Saint Petersburg. Impressions: music as is good, as well as in Bayreuth, sing, perhaps, better, actor's skill is weaker. Has liked Brunhild though the moment when Siegfried has gone on it with big fork looked comically.

The second female heroine - competitor Brunhild Gutruna was not too expressive. Valery Stenkina is good performer of demonic roles (Manon Lescaut, Kundri). But, unfortunately, image Gutruna, so significant in "Edda" and epos “Nibelungs”, at Wagner has not received adequate reflection. And the suit was not too successful.

Here again we smoothly pass to graphic aspect of statement. Scenery has been submitted with grey rude figures of giants and dwarfs, and some "roof" with hatches which that rose fell (is recollected Bayreuth "Lohengrin" and the table for ping-pong). In general, not fine. To tell the truth, illumination varied skillfully enough.

Attires of heroes, as a whole, are quite good. Costume designer Tatyana Noginova tried to show certain ‘eternity’ of plot. Somewhere it was possible to it. Prophetic Nornir, with their gray-haired antiquity, are successful. Brunhild reminds "Valkyrie, bringing a horn to the hero in Valhalla " with runic stones. Troops of Burgundians like ancient Persians (though elements of a snake ornament of Vikings here and there are guessed). In an image of Hagen features of decadence (something from Beardsley stylistics) are visible.

Here it is necessary to tell about aesthetic and conceptual views of the composer. Richard Wagner was not simply "musician" its creativity represented the scale cultural phenomenon. The German musical genius has acted against brilliant, but the superficial approach Giuseppe Verdi (in "Aide" not enough ancient Egypt - though she has been written to opening Suez canal; and in "Navuhodonosor" and that it is less than ancient Babylon).

Wagner itself wrote the libretto of the operas, thus thoroughly being based on northern legends. And, it is necessary to tell, it has remained is true not only to their letter, but also spirit. Certainly, the composer has subjected a material to the certain processing. Having taken for a basis of “Der Ring des Nibelungen” Scandinavian “Edda”, it has replaced names of heroes with names medieval German "Nibelungs". It has been quite allowable - in fact both texts occur from one source. "Edda" is densely sated with a mythological fantasy, road Wagner's to heart (and not only it). But it was necessary to create the German opera.

There are also more creative changes connected, in particular, with adaptation of a material to philosophy of the Modernist style and Neo-romanticism, rather successfully made by Wagner. Actually, the composer has deformed nothing, and has simply revealed new senses in the Myth.

What ideal of statement of operas of Wagner presently sees? Probably, return of suits and scenery of 19 centuries is not necessarily (though separate statements and could be sustained in style of a retro). Wagner's operas simultaneously national and humanistic (as well as in general, Mythology). At the same time, elements of style - winged helmets, boards and an amour by virtue of the big aesthetic expressiveness are absolutely necessary (the same as, for example, ancient Greek helmets with red crests are necessary in the Greek plots). But Richard Wagner dreamed of returning high mission of art in its antique sense; it dreamed, that new art will help the modern person to overcome painful dichotomy consciousnesses; will return it to harmonious synthesis.

While it, unfortunately was not possible. The opera exists, as well as in the nineteenth century, for uslazhdenija hearing and a look (or, for example, that was where to invite lady - not nevertheless on restaurant to go J). Seriously it is quite worthy "the justification of art ".

The Mariinsky theatre is beautiful, no doubt, but feel, how Wagner chokes in its frameworks (as, however, and in Bayreuth). It should leave on the areas nowadays occupied by a pop-music. The modern techniques give us ability, at last, to realize ideas of the ingenious composer. Recollect laser shows ZHarra in Moscow or (less successful) of Yamagata in Petersburg. And other similar plots would be looked in the sky is more tremendous. For example, world in the Scandinavian mythology imagines: the firmament made of a skull of giant Imir, chrez which sprouts World Ash Iggdrasil, Valhalla in its branches, eagles, dragons, etc., made by means of laser holography. Or stages from "Apocalypses by apostle John ".

Alex Fantalov.

For harmonious society existence balance is not only between secular and spiritual authorities, but also between institute and the charismatic person inside of last necessary. But it is available not always. The example of tragedy similar kind is Centenary war and its brightest episode – history of Virgin Orlean.

In the Soviet textbooks it was accepted to speak, that overweight of England in Centenary war resulted from it "centralism", from stronger, in comparison with France, royal authority. In it propensity of the Soviet historiography to praise centralization affects, be even it is centralization by Ivan Groznyy. By the way, France before war was where "is more centralized" than England, and kings of last, limited to parliament (which in England was representative, instead of only judicial - as French) had less authority.

         The valid reasons of defeats of the Frenchmen are complex enough. Here and smaller ability of elite groups (and in general estates) to agree among themselves and ethnic heterogeneity of provinces.

At the first stage of war (in 14 century) England was actively supported with southwest territories of France which and earlier were weighed upon authority of Paris. During the second period (15 century) the position of powerful duchy Burgundian had determining value. While Burgundians were together with Englishmen, those have gone from a victory over a victory.

Deep split inside of elites has aggravated a situation. Isabella Bavarian, the spouse of the French king, using hereditary propensity of the last to time losses of mind, has finished him with full insanity. Then, queen could be betrayed without problems to court joys. All this did not delight its son and the successor of a throne prince Charles. Soon Isabella’s favorite was killed.

Queen has come to fury. Her unloved son has been accused of a crime and, from approval of Catholic Church a throne has transferred the English king married to the daughter of the Isabella.

In general, big (and not too positive) influence of women for king court is typically for the French history. Through two hundred years the collision has repeated when Maria Medici’s favorite has been killed by means instigation of its son, Luis 13 (but the situation had not so tragically consequences - France was already it is more ordered). In one and a half centuries of madam de Pompadour has involved the country in catastrophic Seven-year war.

So, the rest true to Charles armies suffered defeats. Northern half of France up to Loire (including Paris) has been occupied by Englishmen and Burgundians. Young prince was in tragic circumstances.

Burgundian role is clear in this situation. The modern Frenchmen - the ethnos having complicated origin, which formation by 15 century has just gone. Gascons, Bretons and others were desperately protected from the Parisian captures, preferring authority of overseas king of England.

At the considered moment Burgundians, whose dukes were strongest (by the way, members of the French royal family) carried out the active policy directed on formation of own state. They aspired to unit extensive, but isolated possession (Burgundy plus Netherlands). For this purpose, it was necessary for dukes to grasp the grounds in the Central France. If their purposes have crowned success, burgundies would turn to the independent nation.

It is possible to explain a position of Catholic Church the various reasons. First, prelates remembered a role of the French kings, since Phillip in process of humiliation of Rome. Phillip’s Envoy (the beginning of 14 centuries) has treat with Pope very roughly, and then France has achieved transferring Pope throne on the territory (in Avignon), having begun centenary split of church. Strong France was dangerous (and the future role of England it was difficult to expect).

On the other hand, sacred fathers were real policies and, probably, wanted to put an end to the war tormenting a core of Christian Europe. From the given point of view it was more expedient to support stronger (king of England) that the agony of the weakest, to the general calm, has more likely broken. But events have taken a turn of which was not expected by anybody. Orlean Virgin has come, expiated damage caused by the Isabella Bavarian.

Jeanne d’Arcy is surprisingly light image. It is possible to tell about it only good. However here it is meaningful to analyze value of this phenomenon.

First, she was virgin. The pure girl could command armies only. Get Jeanne a favorite - and all would fail. She would become or a toy of retinue, object of rivalry. Virginity was not without reason esteemed - we shall recollect Roman vestals and other pagan priestesses, let alone Christian nuns.

As is known, on court Jeanne accused of sorcery, that she a witch. To witches, alongside with other traces, it was attributed and dissolution. It is curious, that Shakespeare, in the historical play devoted to Henry Y, the conqueror of France, has deduced Jeanne in an image of the libertine (apparently, Englishmen still remembered defeat). How in brains of prosecutors the idea of virginity and dissolution incorporated?

When the girl swore in ancient societies to purity and avoided men, she became as though suppose a supernatural essence. The essence it could have both divine, and "spontaneous", and infernal nature. Pagan priestesses in Middle Ages began to rank as an extensive category of witches. That is why sometimes witches counted virgin and dissolution at a time.  By the way, in some decades after Centenary war, in Europe “processes of witches” which accused in incubus - communications with demons more often have begun.

The problem has one more interesting aspect - shamanism. Under shamanism it is understood in narrow sense or Tunguso-Manchurian tradition, or, in wide - similar traditions of peoples of Siberia, Africa, America, etc. Shamanism speaks about figurative division of the world into the world of heavenly spirits, people and ancestors (here its concept differs from any other religious tradition a little). Originality of the given doctrine will consist in idea about presence of "marriage" between the shaman and spirit of a feminine gender (or shaman and spirit of a masculine gender). Owing to this "marriage" the shaman or shaman women received the supernatural help, in particular, could heal, or, leaving own body to travel on all three worlds.

Probably, the idea of "marriage" is some "degeneration" of the concept of the spiritual union.

Here again we pass to the description of imperious collisions. Charles Jung spoke about two types of large politicians - "tsar" and "shaman". According to its concept, representatives of the first type leaned on real force (own, force of army, police, etc.). "Shaman" from a policy possessed charisma - hidden, but rather effective power which arose owing to mental projections of expectations of peoples. According to Jung, Stalin corresponded to the first type, Hitler - to the second. "Shaman" in a condition to make enormous spiritual revolution. But it also can lead people to accident for stays in “the world of illusions”. Management – business of "king".

Jeanne d’Arcy was the representative "shaman" type (in good sense of this term). Not without reason she heard voices (sacred Ekaterina, sacred Michael). It is necessary to tell, that Middle Ages it is an epoch of all "visions" - people differed raised exaltation. The church concerned to the given phenomenon ambiguously - "visionary" could appear connected as with good forces (then it should be included in system), and with devil. In any case, it potentially threatened the developed order of things. In each concrete case special trial (this tradition resulted in the Second inquisition at the end of Middle Ages) was supposed.

In history with Jeanne amaze consequences of the phenomenon. According to the traditional version, the girl from country family, from the western provinces, are ruined by the Burgundians allies of Englishmen, is to prince Charles, inspires it and goes with a royal army to Orleans. Jeanne removes English blockade from this city (former a key to Southern France) and persuades Charles to make a campaign to Rheims (in which cathedral kings traditionally got married). The prince becomes king Charles YII.

But the monarch, by the definition, concerns to the first - to “king type” a policy. If "shaman" should speak, convince people, force of king - of a hint, movement of an eyebrow. Tsar is silent. In case of a failure it can always tell, that it « not so have understood ». The conflict between "shaman" and "king" if is not inevitable, is probable.

Thus, Jeanne appeared in a political vice. New king (or its advisers), she irritated many figures of Catholic Church misunderstanding of that name « a real policy ». We shall remind, what exactly proceeding from such policy English king as the strongest, has been recognized France king. Orlean Virgin has broken all these agreements. But ‘real politic’ tends to heal the wounds, let and on another already to a basis, in view of a new allocation of forces.

And new situation was those - Burgundian duke Phillip was declined to the union with Charles YII and wanted to tear with Englishmen. But the situation demanded ‘exchange of figures’ and Jeanne with her exaltation did not wish to understand it. Therefore her have sacrificed.

To tell the truth, there is a historical version, that Virgin has been rescued, has received the nobility welcome to king and has safely married. Then she participated in fighting operations (war lasted still a quarter of a century) but without especial shine. This legend is truthful or not, she changes nothing. Jeanne has made the feat, and could, have avoided death to live a private life. Business was taken in people of ‘a real policy’ strong hands.

English armies have started to lose one French territory for another (besides vigorous king Henry Y has died). Soon all “fine France” has been released, and wearisome interstine war of the Scarlet and White Rose began in England. YII got on with the Burgundian duke Phillip together not bad, but already Charles’s son Lui 11 has destroyed Phillip’s son - Charles (the truth, hands of Swiss). The epoch has come to the end. To remove from himself charge, that he had been crowned by a witch (it is possible also, that with gratitude and repentance) Charles YII has achieved Jeanne's posthumous justification. And five hundred years later after her condemnation, Orlean Virgin has been ranked as sacred.

 http://pictures.hypermart.net/index.htm

Alex Fantalov.

It is necessary to conduct conversation about the clownish theatrical characters, which express different types of nature and behaviour (cf. a "Harlequin" and "Pierre" from the fairy tales "Buratino" or "Pinocchio"). Then it is discussed the proportions of the figure of man.

As a whole, occupation 3 - I are analogous to occupations 1 - 2. Students carry out centre line, sketch outline and they fill with his patterns. Since the human characters are depicted, concepts rigid - soft find additional value.

Before the work by colour it is possible to introduce the concept of nuance as small difference in the paints on the candlepower, saturation, to colour tone ("Pierre" - a soft, in the nuance, "harlequin" - rigid, contrasting).

At the end of the work, boundary of all it is colour they are encircled by India ink.